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TIL most false alarms come from user error, not equipment failure | Alarm System Installers - Thought Shares

TIL most false alarms come from user error, not equipment failure

I was reading a report from the Security Industry Association last night, and it said something like 80% of alarm dispatches are due to people not knowing their own codes or pets setting off motion sensors. I always blamed the gear first when a client called. Anyone else shift their training approach after seeing a stat like that?

4 comments

4 Comments

milesk276mo ago

Totally changed my whole training plan after a similar report. I used to spend an hour on sensor specs and now I do a whole comedy routine on "how to not set off your own alarm." My best bit is acting out a cat's midnight zoomies setting off every motion detector in the house. The stats don't lie, we're often our own worst enemy!

lilya766mo ago

Oh man, that's the truth! I started showing new customers exactly where their pets trip the beams, like drawing a little "cat highway" on the floor plan. Way better than just reading the manual to them. They remember the silly visual way more.

miles_hall6mo ago

So you act out the cat zoomies? How do you even show that, like do you crawl around the floor or just use your hands? I'm trying to picture the training session.

morgan.rose4mo ago

That cat highway drawing idea is actually pretty smart Lilya! But Miles, I gotta ask - do you really commit to the bit and crawl around during your comedy routine? Because I feel like that's the difference between people laughing with you and people just thinking you're weird. I've seen installers try to demo stuff by flapping their arms and it just looks awkward, not informative. What's the actual move you do that gets the point across without looking totally ridiculous? I'm genuinely curious because I've been trying to find a way to show customers why their own movement sets off the pet-friendly sensors.