Ensuring your personal safety by checking your alarm system
Homeowners are urged test their alarm systems regularly to ensure their safety.
Security professionals are emphasising the importance of regular alarm system maintenance to ensure safety and prevent crime. Experts from Beagle Watch and SCP Security share key insights on how residents can keep their security systems in optimal working condition.
Read more: Home invasion in Linden foiled by gate alarm
How often should alarm systems be tested?
Andre Aiton, director of Beagle Watch, advises that homeowners test their alarm systems monthly by contacting their security provider’s call centre to verify signal transmission. Additionally, he recommends conducting extra tests following electrical storms to confirm system integrity.
Clive Maher, of SCP Security, echoes this advice, stating: “We recommend that customers test their alarm systems at least once a month. This involves calling the control room, identifying themselves, and requesting to put the system into test mode. From there, they should press the panic button, arm the alarm, and trip the beams while the control room confirms signal reception.”
Steps to ensure your alarm is functioning properly
• Walk test all zones – Ensure all sensors, beams, and panic buttons are functioning properly by triggering them individually.
• Verify signal transmission – Contact the security company’s control room to confirm that signals from your alarm system are being received.
• Upgrade outdated systems – Many residents still rely on alarm systems that are 20 or more years old. While these systems may function, they are often less effective than modern options. Upgrading ensures optimal security.
• Maintain alarm batteries – Most alarms run on a 12-volt battery. With ongoing power outages, batteries may only last three to four months, compared to 12–14 months without load shedding. Regularly replacing batteries is essential.
• Keep personal profiles updated – Residents should ensure that their security provider has up-to-date contact details for quick and efficient response in emergencies.
Also read: Do you know that intruders can jam your alarm?
Why regular alarm checks are critical
Both Aiton and Maher stress that routine maintenance is crucial. “It’s critical because, in an emergency, you need to be certain that your security service provider is receiving your distress signals,” said Aiton.
Maher warns that complacency can be dangerous. “Many homeowners assume their alarms work without testing them. Unfortunately, when they become victims of crime, they regret not having invested in security sooner. Staying proactive and keeping up with security advancements can prevent these situations.”
The message from security experts is clear: Regularly testing and maintaining alarm systems is a small effort that can make a significant difference in preventing crime and ensuring personal safety.
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