Having a burglar alarm on your home is a big step towards having a complete home security system. It works alongside good quality locks on your windows and doors and security lights on the outside of your property.
While we often talk about choosing an alarm system, we don’t always talk so much about what happens when your alarm goes off. The loud, shrieking noise is bound to create a bit of panic so having a plan is the best way to handle the situation. Make sure your children are fully aware of the procedure too.
Who knows how to shut the alarm off?
All adults in the house and older children should know how to shut the alarm off. If you are leaving young children in the care of a babysitter, make sure they know how to set the alarm and shut it off if necessary. As soon as your kids are old enough to be letting themselves into the house, make sure they know how the alarm works. Otherwise, you might be tempted not to set the alarm, and this makes your house vulnerable.
Where to find a flashlight
It’s always a good idea to have a flashlight ready for an emergency situation. Alarms are sometimes triggered by a power outage, in which case you’ll need to be able to see what you’re doing to shut it off.
Place a few flashlights at strategic points around the house. A bedside table is a good one, somewhere in the kitchen and an easy to reach spot in the living room are primary spots.
Have important numbers handy
Another important preparation to make for an alarm going off is to have the important numbers you might need handy. Make sure children know how to phone 999 in case of emergency and that they should do this even if they only suspect someone is in the house or trying to get in.
Having a number for the alarm company can be a good idea if there’s a false alarm. Also, numbers for people to call in an emergency such as nearby friends or family is a good idea. Remember, you might not have a mobile to hand so either have the numbers written and stored with the flashlights or programmed onto a house phone as well as any mobiles.
How to set the alarm
It is worth making sure that everyone in the house has some basic knowledge of how to set the alarm or at least what it means if the alarm goes off. You don’t want to scare young children, but just like talking to them about locks and other home security systems, it is a good idea for them to understand the basics and have a procedure in place for them to follow on the rare occasion they need it.
Most of the time, you’ll never hear your burglar alarm in action. But if you do, having processes to follow and making sure everyone knows what to do will make the process safer and easier. Contact us for help and advice about home and business security. Stay safe!
