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Naperville
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Focus on Safety – False Alarms

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fire-alarmPublic safety resources are limited and should never be wasted. Did you know patrol officers responding to “false alarms” are the City of Naperville’s number one call for service requiring hundreds of patrol hours? Over 95 percent of alarm activations are because of false alarms. False alarms are costly and dangerous because they divert police officers from proactive crime prevention efforts and could limit resources responding to actual emergencies.

The main cause of false alarms is user error. If you have an alarm system it is your responsibility to educate all users on the proper use of the alarm system. This may include cleaning crews, caretakers, children, pet sitters and others who do not use the system often. Make sure they are aware of how to properly arm and disarm the system and have the correct password. Also know how much time you have after you arm your system to leave and disarm your system when you enter. Remember to maintain your system by replacing weak or depleted batteries.

Make sure you securely close and lock all protected doors and windows. Many activations occur when doors or windows have not been closed tightly.

Drafts from heaters/air conditioning systems and open windows can move curtains, plants, and balloons that can activate motion sensors thus activating the alarm system.

What to do if you set your alarm off accidentally?

First, don’t panic. Carefully enter your code to reset your system.

Wait for your Alarm Company to call you, then give your password or ID card number.

Do not leave your home until you have talked with your monitoring company. If they do not call you, contact them to cancel police dispatch.

DO NOT call 911 to cancel an alarm activation. You must call your monitoring company.

You cannot cancel a panic alarm. Even if a panic alarm is accidental, the police response is mandatory.

The City of Naperville does not require alarms to be registered. Officers from the Naperville Police Department will leave a yellow door hanger if the homeowner was not home indicating an alarm was activated at your residence and it was determined to be false. Residents will be assessed a fee for each false alarm beginning with the third false activation in a residents twelve month counting period.

For more information on alarms, visit www.naperville.il.us.

Until next month… Stay Aware and Stay Safe.

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Julie Smith
Julie Smith
Julie Smith is Crime Prevention Specialist at the Naperville Police Department. Contact her at SmithJu@naperville.il.us or (630) 305-5450.

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