Tips from Security Pros

False alarms – when you or someone else accidentally sets off a security system – can have a serious impact. A noisy nuisance, false alarms may also take police away from real emergencies and life-threatening situations. And multiple false alarms can cost hundreds of dollars in fees, making you or the rest of the household reluctant to use your system. How can you prevent false alarms? See our security tips below.

Human error is the number one cause of false alarms. Examples include incorrectly entering the alarm code on the keypad or forgetting to make sure all doors and windows are closed before turning on the alarm. The best way to reduce this is to ensure that everyone who uses your system regularly (kids, babysitters, relatives, visitors, etc.) knows how to do it correctly.

Have everyone who uses the system practice canceling an accidental alarm. If your alarm is monitored, you should call ahead to your security provider and let them know you’re testing the system. 

Regularly test and maintain your system. That way you can make sure it’s functioning properly and that you’re arming it correctly. If you decide to test the system yourself, be sure to let your security provider know before getting started.

Change any system batteries every three years. Unsure which batteries your system need to be replaced? If your alarm was installed by Denalect, we’ll have that info on record. Just call and ask for our service department. You can even drop by our business office and we’ll sell you the batteries you need.

Older systems are more prone to false alarms. Try to upgrade any aging or outdated equipment.

Planning any remodeling projects or switching phone companies? Let your security provider know as this may disrupt your alarm system.

Have pets? Your furry companion may accidently trigger sensitive motion sensors, so try to choose a security system that uses another form of protection.

If you would like us to schedule a technician to come out, feel free to contact us at 925-935-2680, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For a small additional monthly fee, Denalect offers a maintenance program, which covers the cost of all necessary tests and battery replacements. 

Denalect Alarm is proud to serve home and business security and alarm systems in Northern California: Antioch, Alamo, Blackhawk, Brentwood, Clayton, Concord, Danville, Discovery Bay, Dublin, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.

Is your home or business equipped with a carbon monoxide (CO) detector? Odorless and colorless, CO is a poisonous gas that’s made whenever fuels, including gas, oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal, are burned. So how do they appear in a home or office? Idling cars, heaters, stoves, fireplaces and furnaces – all put out CO.

Though these fuel-burning appliances and vehicles produce CO, when well-maintained and used properly, the amount is non-hazardous. It’s when things malfunction (or are used incorrectly) that they can turn deadly. And every year, hundreds of people in the United States die from accidental CO poisoning. For more information about the symptoms of CO poisoning, click here.

How can you protect your home or office from too much CO? Install a CO alarm or a CO detector. The CO alarm is a stand-alone unit which has its own built-in power supply and audible device while the detector is designed to be used along with your fire alarm system, drawing its power from the alarm panel.  

If your CO detector is battery-operated, test it regularly (once a month is best) and replace the battery once a year. If installing a CO device yourself, be sure to consult the manufacturer’s recommendations in the installation guide on where to place it. CO alarms aren’t intended – or suitable – for fire and smoke detection.

Denalect customers can save money by coordinating their annual alarm inspection with a CO detection assessment. If you wish to learn more about protecting your home from CO, feel free to contact our business office at (925) 932-2211. Business hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.

Denalect Alarm is proud to serve home and business security and alarm systems in Northern California: Antioch, Blackhawk, Concord, Danville, Dublin, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.

Vacation season is here and it’s no coincidence that the number of home burglaries will rise over the next few months. If you and your loved ones are heading out of town, we at Denalect want to ensure your peace of mind. Here are 10 important safety tips straight from our home security experts that can help you protect your home while away.

1. Check all the locks and deadbolts on your doors and windows. Replace old deadbolts that might be easy to kick in. For windows, insert dowel rods inside the window frame so they can’t be forced open.
2. Test your home security and/or smoke alarms. Replace any dead batteries.
3. Notify your security company that you’ll be away. Give a trusted family member, friend or neighbor your alarm code, the security company’s contact info, your itinerary and your contact numbers in case of emergencies.
4. Install a motion-sensor on one or more outdoor lights. Inside, set inside lights and/or a stereo to turn off and on randomly.
5. Hold your mail, newspaper and garbage service. Or better yet, have a neighbor or house sitter collect your deliveries every day and bring in the garbage bins on collection day. Arrange to have the lawn mowed while you’re gone.
6. Don’t leave a spare key outside — give it to a family member, friend or neighbor.
7. Secure the garage by unplugging the electric door opener or deadbolt the door so it can’t be opened. If you’re leaving a car at home, park it outside against the garage door to block access. Be sure to remove any garage door remotes from the car.
8. Leaving any valuables behind? Lock them up in a safe, closet or file cabinet.
9. Unplug small appliances or electronics, such as the coffeemaker or the TV, or make sure they are plugged into a surge protector. An unexpected power surge can damage them or even cause a fire.
10. Don’t broadcast you’re out of town on your voice mail, email, Facebook or other social media sites. Wait to post your vacation photos until after you return.

For more information, contact our business office at (925) 932-2211. Business hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.

Denalect Alarm is proud to serve home and business security and alarm systems in Northern California: Antioch, Blackhawk, Concord, Danville, Dublin, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.

Spring has arrived in the Bay Area and at Denalect, it’s that time of year when we encourage folks to think about annual security system maintenance. Without routine maintenance, even the best system can fail, exposing you and your family to theft. Whether you prefer to have a technician come out or to do the work yourself, here’s an easy checklist on how to keep everything running smoothly for years to come.

Test your system. This is the most reliable way to make sure that Denalect (or your security provider) is still receiving the system’s signal. If you’re a Denalect customer, just follow these step-by-step instructions to do it yourself:

• Call the Central Station and tell them that you are testing your system. A Saturday or Sunday afternoon usually works best.
• Turn on the system while you’re in the house, then trigger the alarm by opening a window or door. Let it ring 15 seconds before turning it off by entering your code.
• Call the Central Station to make sure they received your alarm’s signal. Note: your phone line may be disabled for a short time if the alarm uses the phone lines to contact us.

Check the batteries. Another important maintenance step is ensuring that your system’s batteries are still working. While every system is different, here are some general guidelines:

• All of Denalect’s alarm systems have backup batteries in case of power failures. Expect to change the backups every 3-5 years.
• If you have Denalect-installed smoke detectors, they will most likely draw their power from the alarm panel. If your house came with smoke detectors, then you will most likely need to replace the batteries every year.
• Batteries for wireless alarm sensors and panic buttons also need to be checked and replaced periodically.

Unsure which batteries your system need to be replaced? If your alarm was installed by Denalect, we’ll have that info on record. Just call and ask for our service department. Or you can drop by our business office and we’ll sell you the batteries you need. Don’t want to worry about system testing and battery checks? For a small monthly fee, we offer a maintenance program that covers all necessary tests, battery replacements, etc.

If you would like us to walk you through either process or schedule a technician to come out, feel free to contact us at 925-935-2680, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Denalect Alarm is proud to serve home and business security and alarm systems in Northern California: Antioch, Blackhawk, Concord, Danville, Dublin, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.

Today we’d like to discuss one of the most effective – and inexpensive – ways to deter crime in any community. This is with a neighborhood watch. Also known as a block watch, town watch, apartment watch, and/or a crime watch, these neighborhood associations look out for each other’s homes, families, businesses and community buildings and alert the police to any suspicious activities or crimes in progress.

A watch can have other benefits too, including revitalizing neighborhoods and making your community a safer, better place to live. Interested in forming one? Here are some suggestions for getting started:

• First, meet with a small group of neighbors to discuss the watch concept and gauge their level of interest. Is this something the neighborhood wants or needs? What are the possible challenges?
• Next, contact the local police or sheriffs’ department, or local crime prevention organization. Discuss local crime problems and see if there are any requirements are for organizing a watch in your area. (Some places may need a certain number of houses to participate in the program.)
• Then hold a neighborhood-wide meeting to discuss the program. Once again, you’ll need to figure out your neighbors’ interest level, talk about the purpose of program, and work to identify any issues that will need to be addressed.
• If your neighborhood decides to start a watch, ask for block captain volunteers. They will be responsible for communicating with members on their block and keeping up-to-date info on residents.
• Establish regular meetings and communications with members. This can be over email, phone, newsletter, etc.
• Prepare a neighborhood map. It should include names, addresses, and phone numbers of participating households. Distribute copies to your members.
• Post neighborhood watch signs. When you’re ready, check in with law enforcement. They may be able to provide signs or tell you where you can order them.

Some other general tips:

• The watch concept is adaptable. It can be organized around any geographic unit, from a school or park to a neighborhood.
• Be as inclusive as possible. Make sure to include the elderly, working parents, young people, and folks with disabilities.
• Continue to work with law enforcement. Invite an officer to attend one or more of your meetings. Ask for help with training, how to report crimes, and tips for better home security.
• Do not assume the role of the police. All you and your neighbors need to do is be alert, observant, caring and to report suspicious activity or crimes immediately to the police.

Denalect Alarm is proud to serve home and business security and alarm systems in Northern California: Antioch, Blackhawk, Concord, Danville, Dublin, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.