Originally published December 18 2005
Security system false alarms could cost you
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
False alarms from home security systems in Wichita have caused police officials to institute a fifty dollar fine if the alarm is not canceled. Only one percent of all alarm calls last year turned out to be valid.
Police urge security system owners to make sure holiday guests know how to use the device, or risk fines.
They're becoming as much a part of the holidays as the turkey, trimmings and gift-giving -- but there's nothing festive about false alarms from home security systems.
That's why Wichita police officials are urging residents to plan ahead as the holidays arrive.
"The problem we run into is the alarm owners aren't educating company or out-of-town guests," said Claudia Zamorano, alarm administrator for the city of Wichita.
The son or daughter coming home from college has forgotten the access code, or nobody told Aunt Rita how to shut off the alarm when she gets back from the mall.
The fines can be appealed and rescinded for a variety of reasons, Zamorano said, including alarms set off by bad weather or the loss of electricity or phone service.
"The appeals always go up right around December and around the first of the year," Zamorano said.
That's why residents can save themselves some headaches by planning ahead and reminding visitors or returning children how to use their alarm systems.
"When you have other people coming into your home, it's really your responsibility" that they have a key and the access codes for the alarm system, she said.
One thing hosts can do, she said, is place a sticker on the security system's front panel with the monitoring service's 800 number so guests can call if they're having problems or they've accidentally triggered it.
"A system is only as good as the person who is using it," Lindstrom said.
The National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association will send reminders about preventing false alarms to its members this week and again next month, spokeswoman Georgia Calaway said.
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