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Statistics show that home alarms have been proven to reduce the likelihood of home intrusions.

Savvy burglars know to choose homes with the course of least resistance, thereby avoiding homes with security measures such as outdoor cameras, motion activated security lights, and burglar alarms — all of which, work in unison to keep your property safe. Home security alarms alert you and your security monitoring company that your home has been breached, reducing the risk of further damage. Despite all of the good things alarms do for us as homeowners, it can be annoying when your security system is set off accidentally.

There are many reasons why false alarms. For instance, a large proportion can be blamed on homeowners forgetting to disarm the system prior to letting the dog out or empty the trash. Another aspect could be entering the wrong passcode.

So, how can we minimize these occurrences and prevent the frustration which usually accompanies falsely activated alarms?

Residential False Alarm Prevention Guide

Before you activate your system:

• Lock all protected doors and windows.
• Educate family members on alarm system and usage.
• Contact EMC Security if you have any concerns about the proper functionality your system.
• Notify EMC Security if you plan any renovating or remodeling your home.
• Educate family members on what to do if your alarm is accidentally triggered.
• Use the EMC Text Alert app to chat with your emergency contacts when your alarm is triggered and respond appropriately from your phone.
• First, don’t panic, there is time. Enter your disarm code (carefully) to reset your system. Remember, if there were a burglar, he or she would not know your code. Do not write it on your keypad.
• Call EMC Security at 1-888-745-4733 or wait for us to call you. Give your password — this is different from your disarm code.

Make sure that anyone who has keys to your home KNOWS how to operate the alarm.

Commercial False Alarm Prevention Guide

Tips for Commercial Businesses

• Be sure all employees are thoroughly trained before attempting to use the alarm system. Hold monthly training sessions.
• Look for items that can move within the “view” of your motion detectors, causing false alarms fans, heaters, hanging signs, seasonal decorations, balloons, curtains, plants, etc.).
• Confirm that special consideration has been given to the installation of motion detectors in high traffic areas with overhead doors, large exhaust fans or ceiling vents which allow the entry of birds.
• Ensure all doors and windows are secure and locked before arming your system.
• Don’t change pass-codes without advising EMC Security.
• Train new users thoroughly, notifying EMC Security of new users.
• Service and maintain your system (including batteries) regularly before false alarms occur.
• Upgrade old alarm systems to current equipment conforming to Security Industry Association (SIA) false alarm prevention standards, further reducing false alarms.

Every municipality in Georgia has alarm registration requirements. Some have false alarm ordinances as well. Make sure you understand your ordinance and fee guidelines before installing a security system in your home or business.

When your home alarm goes off, it can be a frightening and sometimes confusing experience.

Your first instinct might be to immediately disable the alarm siren. But, if you do this, how do you know you didn’t just disable an alarm for a burglar that might have just broken in? The fact is, most of us are not sure what we’d do in this case. The key is to be prepared.

Below are 5 things you should do if your home security alarm goes off:

1. Stay Calm

It is natural for us to panic in emergency situations. As a result, we tend to react rather than think. However, when your home alarm goes off, you should take a moment to calm your senses before doing something rash. It’s easier to think about your options when you’re calm.

A home security system is designed with an extremely loud alarm siren to scare off an intruder. And depending on your system and neighborhood, it could also alert a neighbor. Keeping this in mind could help your anxiety level.

2. Verify It’s Not a False Alarm

The next thing to do is to verify whether the alarm is false. Read any notifications or messages appearing on the keypad display (if it’s nearby) and then investigate, however don’t put yourself in danger to do so. If you suspect that there is an actual threat in the house, find a safe place to wait for the authorities.

3. Keep Your Phone Nearby

This is a must, for a couple of reasons. First, your home security company is instantly notified when the alarm is triggered and will immediately be contacting you to assess the situation. They will also notify the authorities.

Second, you can call someone outside of your home in order to get help. Contact a friend or relative as soon as you get the chance and let them know what’s going on.

4. Know Your Password

When your home security company calls your home, they will ask for your password. If you know it’s a false alarm and don’t want to notify the police, you must have your password.

If you don’t know your password, the authorities will be dispatched. This is because the security company has no way of knowing that you are who you say you are, or if you might be speaking under duress.

5. Have a Plan

An effective plan can help you remain calm and could potentially save lives. The best plan is to designate a safe area to wait for authorities to clear your home of danger. The safe area (or room) should ideally be as far away as possible from any potential break-in areas (such as windows and doors). It’s also a good idea to have a dead bolt installed on the door.

Although security systems can help make your home and family more secure and safe, you will still need to practice vigilance and awareness in case of an emergency. Never put yourself or your family members in danger. The best option is to let your security system do what it is designed to do – and that’s to help you.

Don’t have a home security system? Contact EMC Security to protect your home and family today.

Choosing the right home security system can be extremely difficult and time consuming.

The number of questions involved in giving proper consideration are simply mind-blowing.

Which brand is more reliable?

Should I pay for professional installation?

Does the company offer a security app?

Should I go with a local or national provider?

At the end of the day, there’s a lot to consider. In order save you time, and to help you get the most protection, ease of use and value, we’ve compiled a list of five questions you need to ask prior to making a decision on which company to choose for home security.

Ask the following inquiries to help ensure that you are making a well-informed decision.

1. Is the system professionally monitored?

Professional monitorization is the golden bench-mark of home security. If there’s a home intrusion or emergency at home, it’s comforting to know that your home security system can send an emergency signal to alert emergency response officials that you’re in need of help.

EMC Security recognizes that there is no substitute for having a system that is professionally monitored, which is why all of our systems come standard with around-the-clock monitoring coverage.

2. Will it withstand the home criminal toolkit?

Unfortunately, not all security products are designed the same. Avoid having thieves circumvent your system by ensuring that it comes with these following features:

• Crash and Smash Warranty. It’s common practice for burglars to smash a home’s security panel to disable it from communicating with the security monitoring station. EMC Security’s technology can detect a crash and smash attack and signal your monitoring station regardless such an occurrence.
• Cellular Communicator. Sometimes mother nature or human interference can disrupt traditional phone communications, in which case, having our ‘cellular communicator’ feature would come in handy. This type of signaling technology is not dependent on your home’s broadband or phone line, and so it’s not vulnerable to outside attacks.

3. What else will this system protect you from?

With the emergence of new technologies, the best home security systems are now equipped to protect your home from far more than home intrusions.

EMC Security offers a line of devices that can sense and respond to hazards, such as fire, carbon monoxide and water leaks. They can also save you time and money, solving problems like energy waste, and lost keys.

With the ability to respond to more dangers and challenges, EMC Security systems offer you more value than the traditional home security system.

4. What happens if something malfunctions or stops working?

Regardless of how many cool features a security system may have, they’re virtually useless if the security system does not work when you need it. When you purchase a stand-alone security system, you are left to fend for yourself when a device or component of the system needs professional attention.

However, with EMC Security, help is always a phone call away. Our technicians can be quickly dispatched to troubleshoot your system, and in some cases, issues may be fixed remotely.

5. Does it include smart home devices?

Smart home technology is more than just a home improvement trend, and it almost goes without saying that it’s here to stay. The right security system will set you up with everything you need for a smart home. In fact, it’s the easiest way to own one.

EMC Security carries a wide range of essential smart devices, from smart locks, smart thermostats, connected video cameras, smart lights, video doorbells, and more.

Controlling an EMC Security-powered smart home is easy. Our smartphone app controls everything, or you can use your voice with Amazon Echo. Yes — when it comes to automation, EMC Security makes smart homes smarter.

Still have questions? Give us a call at 770.963.0305 to find out how we can help today.