Home Alarm Question

[HLAuburn]

My daughter set off our security system this morning (it was set to "stay"). She actually set off the glass break with her screaming , so the siren and the alarm were all going off. I was able to turn off the alarm in about 5 seconds, but I was surprised that ADT didn't call to check on us.

I called to make sure that they were receiving a signal, and they said they did get the alarm, but they usually give you 30 seconds to turn it off before they call to check on you. Doesn't this defeat the purpose of an alarm? Is this normal for alarm companies? Just curious...

 

[JR6ooo4]

I think 30 seconds is enough time to force a homeowner to shut off the alarm! With whatever means a criminal might use...

They should call immediately whenever the alarm is triggered.

we had some plants in the front of our office. when the heat would kick on at 2 am and start blowing air, the plants would move and trigger the alarm. It took us a few false alarms to figure out what was setting it off.

Mikeeee

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Our alarm company called us every time the alarm was triggered. Not doing so doesn't make sense.

 

[LuvOrlando]

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[ameraumi]

I also have ADT and I am glad to have that those few seconds to turn off a "false" alarm. And even *if* I was forced to turn off the alarm, there is a code that turns off the alarm and triggers a forced entry to ADT. So they would know.

That said, you can call and put in a request to not have the delay calls. I have done that when we are away for a few days and know no one would be entering the house.

 

[georgina]

I never set my alarm to stay, so I am not sure how it works. Can the alarm company tell when it goes off if it was set to stay or away? They have to give you time to turn it off when you come in from outside. As for a thief forcing the homeowner to turn it off, ours also has a panic button that sends an immediate call to the police.

 

[rowbear]

ADT gives you a full minute. The reason behind this is you can get fined in some areas if you have too many false alarms that result in police visit. You can also have police become complacent if they are continuously checking out a false alarm. Remember the story of the boy who cried wolf?

The problem is if you have a single phone line your system may be interferring with your ability to receive the call so they would be forced to send the police while going through your additional call list.

There is a panic code that you can put in that makes it appear as if you shut off the system but the police will still come.

Your best protection is the signs and stickers they give you that warn potential criminals you have a system.

 

[ma2jr]

My daughter set off our security system this morning (it was set to "stay"). She actually set off the glass break with her screaming , so the siren and the alarm were all going off. I was able to turn off the alarm in about 5 seconds, but I was surprised that ADT didn't call to check on us.

I called to make sure that they were receiving a signal, and they said they did get the alarm, but they usually give you 30 seconds to turn it off before they call to check on you. Doesn't this defeat the purpose of an alarm? Is this normal for alarm companies? Just curious...

Yes... that's the rule

 

[rowbear]

I never set my alarm to stay, so I am not sure how it works. Can the alarm company tell when it goes off if it was set to stay or away? They have to give you time to turn it off when you come in from outside. As for a thief forcing the homeowner to turn it off, ours also has a panic button that sends an immediate call to the police.

I do not believe they know what mode you are using. They only know what zones have been tripped.


Something most people may not realize is that ADT also offers water detection for floods or leaks. Water damages more property than fire or criminals every year.