False Alarms are a Serious and High-Dollar Matter

In Toronto, false alarms are a serious and high-dollar matter.  Like many major cities in the United States, the largest city in Canada is no different.  False alarms have been causing headaches for local police and fire departments there too.  This means they are upping the fines, or at least trying to.

If some Toronto city lawmakers get their way, a false alarm will cost the caller $350 per dispatched fire truck, and the homeowner will be dinged for any dud call made by home alarm systems.  Yes that’s right, no longer is the fire department giving out any freebies.  However, they will be raking in the proverbial dough.  That’s because Toronto expects to send out 10,000 false alarm invoices per year, generating $6.6 million. 

The proposed hike in fines has caused some to question the city’s motives, asking if it is more of a money-grabbing thing than a meaningful preventative measure.  As the Toronto Star newspaper reports, fire officials hotly deny that.  Officials say the reasoning for the charge has always been to reduce false alarms and prevent a waste of resources, despite the city’s $382 million budget deficit.

JF Champagne, executive director of the Canadian Security Association (CANASA), told Security Sales & Integration online magazine that city leaders are pushing hard to amend Toronto’s false dispatch policy.

“In the proposed budget the fire department is now going to charge for all false alarms with no provisions to be refunded,” Champagne said.

It’s the central station operators who will be mandated to pay the major fines, not the end user, Champagne says, which in turn will only hurt the customer.

Nevertheless, it is important to know how to prevent a false alarm no matter where you live or what the fine may or may not be.  Here are some helpful tips from the team at Security World News.

Before activating your system:

• Lock all protected doors and windows
• Keep pets, balloons, fans, heaters, plants, curtains, and seasonal decorations away from motion sensor areas
• Know how to cancel the alarm if the system activates

Educate alarm system users:

• All users, key holders, or any person with legal access to your property must be thoroughly trained in how to operate your system (including knowledge of correct arming codes, pass codes, telephone numbers and procedures for canceling accidental alarm activations)

Have your security company check and service your system regularly:

• Routine maintenance can help prevent many false alarms (including testing and changing your batteries on a regular basis)

Notify your security company if:

• You think your alarm system is not working properly
• You plan any remodeling, including replacing doors or windows, hanging drywall, sanding floors, installing attic flooring or basement ceiling, changing phone systems, installing intercoms, siding, ceiling fans or skylights, fumigating, installing wiring for cable or other electronics, installing anything near the system control panel or keypads
• You hire domestic help, get a new pet, plan to sell your house, or are testing your system