Tips from Security Pros

If you’ve ever tried to stop the shrill, continuous chirping of a security or smoke alarm, then you know there are few things more frustrating to deal with, especially at night.

And since there are a variety of reasons as for why an alarm is beeping – safety risk, power outage, bad batteries, faulty sensors being among them – we’ve put together some general tips and strategies to help you silence it as quickly as possible.

First, check your security panel (or whatever device is beeping) to see if it’s warning you about a legitimate danger such as fire, intrusion or a Carbon Monoxide leak.

If that’s not the cause of the beeping, then check the batteries. Most panels and detectors continuously chirp when they need to be changed. Go through your home, checking all system batteries using a battery tester.

Next, try to silence the alarm panel. While each security system brand and model is different, almost all can be silenced in one of the following ways:

• Entering your code to disarm the system
• Arming the system and then immediately disarming it
• Pressing the status button on the keypad

If your system does not respond to any of the above methods, call your security provider. The problem could be faulty wiring, which is a job best left for those with electrical experience. Reputable security companies will help you troubleshoot over the phone and/or send out a technician to help with the problem.

For more information about silencing or arming five of our most popular alarm panel models, see the Arming & Silencing Alarms page on our site.

You can also contact our business office at 925-932-2211. Business hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Or, if you’re a Denalect customer, call our service department at 925-935-2680 between 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., 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.

Here at Denalect, we know that even the most vigilant of homeowners can have their house, condo or apartment broken into. And while chances are slim (only one in 50 homes in the US are burglarized each year) knowing the do’s and don’ts of what your homeowners insurance policy can save you hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars.

• Most policies do cover the loss of personal property in the case of a burglary. The coverage limit for personal possessions is usually 50-75% of the amount of the coverage purchased for your dwelling.
• Homeowners and rental insurance policies don’t cover any personal injuries due to any assault during a robbery.
• Do know if your policy covers market value or replacement value. Your standard policy covers the market value of your property, which is the replacement cost minus depreciation. For an additional charge (usually 10% more) most insurance companies will cover the full replacement value (which is market value minus depreciation) for stolen property.
• Don’t expect to get full value for jewelry, computers and/or cash with a standard policy. Fortunately, many insurance companies do offer riders that will increase the coverage on these types of items.
• Do make an inventory list or video of your possessions. (Ideally, each item on your list should include the purchase date, price paid and a short description. If listing everything is far too time consuming, focus on the most expensive items and record the number of small items.)
• If you own any costly antiques, jewelry and/or paintings that require authentication to establish value, do get written appraisals for each item from an appraiser that’s approved by your insurance company.
• And, finally, do update your inventory record every year and keep copies in a secure location outside of your home. (Examples include a safety deposit box or a trusted friend’s house.)

For more general information or if you’d like a free estimate, contact our business office at (925) 932-2211. Business hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 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.

With other telephone service providers becoming more popular and affordable, some of our fire alarm customers are switching from standard AT&T land lines to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems (such as Vonage) or disconnecting their telephone line and relying solely on a cell phone.

However, depending on the type of fire alarm installed in your home or business, it may not be able to report a triggered alarm, fire or other emergency to our Central Station Dispatcher.

This is because many of our customers’ fire alarm systems communicate to our Central Station Dispatchers using standard AT&T telephone lines.

Since fire alarm systems are required by state and local fire codes, each must be installed and serviced in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association code (NFPA 72). By code, fire alarms MUST be connected to two standard AT&T telephone lines, one that’s dedicated to the system and one that’s a backup, or one radio and one phone line, or a two-way radio.

If you are interested in making these changes, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• You can’t use a VoIP telephone number or a similar service for your fire alarm. However, for customers who are paying for two telephone lines, we can move you to cellular radio. That will reduce your monthly cost by eliminating your need for two lines.
• When you order the new service, tell the salesperson that you have a fire alarm. Make sure that they guarantee their service is compliant with the fire codes and that your fire alarm system will continue to send alarm signals to our Central Station.
• You should always test your fire alarm with our Central Station after the work is completed on your telephone lines but before they leave. If there are problems, have the installing company fix them or call us for assistance.

So if you’re a Denalect customer that wants to make any of these changes to your telephone system, call our service department at 925-935-2680 to discuss between 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

If you’ve already made these changes, contact our service department right away. If the new phone service causes your alarm not to communicate with us, we can usually install a new transmitter that will communicate using wireless technology. The system is very fast, does not rely on any telephone, fiber optic or cable TV lines.

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.

Discovering your house, condo or apartment has been broken is a shock. After all, this is your home, your sanctuary. But by knowing what to do ahead of time, you can act quickly, increasing the chances of catching the burglar and recovering your property.

 

First, if you see signs that your home has been burglarized, don’t go in. Call the police and wait for them to arrive. If you accidentally surprise a burglar, don’t antagonize or stall them. Most just want to grab some valuables and leave.

If you do catch a glimpse of the intruder, write down as many details (age, sex, race, which direction they went, etc.) as you can remember as soon as possible. This will help the police when they arrive.

Be sure to file a police report. While chances are slim that you’ll recover any of your possessions, a police report is necessary to file an insurance claim so you can recoup your losses. Be sure to ask for the report number before the officer leaves your home. Plus, reporting a break-in provides the authorities with valuable information about crime trends in your area.

Take photos, including where valuables were stolen from and the entrance or entrances the burglar used. This will help when filing an insurance claim to prove what items were taken and which areas of your home were damaged. It also helps to have images of items before they’re stolen.

Call your insurance company and file a claim. Do this as soon as you have your police report. You’ll need to provide a report number and lots of other details such as point of entry, property damage, items stolen, etc.

Re-secure your home. If the burglar entered through unlocked door or window, this could be as easy as ensuring they are all secured. For broken windows or damaged doors, construct strong yet temporary barriers using half-inch sheets of plywood with two inch screws a foot apart.

After a burglary, it’s very rare for an intruder to return. More often, they will break into another house nearby within the next few weeks. So if you learn of a burglary in your neighborhood, be extra vigilant. Or if you experience a break in, alert your neighbors as soon as possible.

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, Brentwood, Concord, Danville, Dublin, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.

Renters are 85% more likely to experience a home invasion than those who own their homes. Folks living in an apartment or condo have additional security concerns. Close proximity to other tenants and increased foot traffic means that your home is more at risk of intrusion and burglary. To help, our security pros offer some tips on how to keep you, your family and your place safe.

Consider exterior security. Buildings with a door person posted at the entrance to monitor comings and goings and/or a call box for tenants to “buzz in” their guests are generally safer.

Practice entrance etiquette. While it’s awkward (and often considered rude) to close the door on someone while you’re entering or exiting the building but if you don’t know the person it’s safer to close the door behind you without letting him or her in.

Get to know your neighbors. Not only is it safer to have trusted neighbors looking out for you and your apartment, many buildings also have their own neighborhood watch group.

Add a deadbolt and/or a chain lock on your front door. A standard doorknob lock is easier to pick and force open than a deadbolt, which is much more secure. Also consider a chain lock. It’ll allow you to crack your door to talk to a stranger and/or ask for identification before opening up completely.

Strengthen slider glass doors. Many sliding doors have inadequate locks and can come off their tracks with just a nudge. Secure your sliding door with an inside bar lock or a pole on the track. You can also install a secondary locking mechanism such as a metal pin inserted through the door frame and into the sliding door.

Install a safe. This can be an effective way to hide valuable items (such as jewelry, cash, passports, etc.) from thieves who are just looking to grab valuables in plain sight and escape quickly. Find a safe that’s fireproof and fits your budget and needs, and talk to your landlord about bolting it to a floor or wall, so a burglar can’t pick it up and take it.

Invest in good blinds or curtains. Install blinds or curtains on all your windows to block the view from outside and be sure to close them when you go out. This will keep wandering eyes from checking out your valuables, reducing the risk of a break-in.

Get renters insurance. Many insurance companies offer policies specifically for renters that run about $20 a month and cover all your property at the full replacement cost. Consider the cost of replacing everything you own in the event of a theft, fire, or severe weather. If you wouldn’t be able to recover from the loss, then renters insurance is a good option.

Consider getting an alarm system or security devices. Depending on your needs and budget, you can install a system yourself or have one professionally installed. For more pro tips on choosing the right home security system, click here.

And finally, be vigilant. Always lock your front door and avoid poorly lit areas and communal spaces (such as a laundry room) late at night. Also, it’s important to always lock your balcony door when it’s not in use and don’t leave you car unlocked or the trunk open when you are not with the vehicle.

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, Brentwood, Concord, Danville, Dublin, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.