Major Causes of False Alarms

False alarms are easily preventable. Alarm system owners and operators can drastically reduce the number of false alarm incidents received by the Houston Police Department through adequate and thorough training. User error, weather conditions, system malfunctions or improper installations and a wide range of other reasons resulted in approximately 96 percent of all alarms to be false in the 2014 fiscal year.

To reduce the number of Residential false alarm incidents, check the property for:

• Alarm system batteries (low or old)
• Children playing with alarm system
• Locked, loose, or opened doors and windows
• Items causing movement near or around motion sensors such as:
• • Balloons and other party decorations
  • Curtains
  • Drafts from air conditioners and heaters
  • Fans
  • Home décor
  • Pets, rodents, wildlife, etc.
  • Plants
  • Water features
• Adequate training of alarm system users and other authorized personnel, for example:
• • Babysitter
  • Caregiver
  • Cleaning
  • Contractor
  • Domestic help
  • Guest
  • Lawn care
  • Maintenance crew (electrician, house cleaner, plumber, etc.)
  • Neighbor
  • Pet sitter
  • Real estate agent