Close-up shot: The smoke detector is triggered by a trickle of dum, the red indicator lights up

Is your smoke detector being monitored?

The only way an unmonitored smoke detector will notify you of a fire is by loud, audible beeping. This works perfectly, if you happen to be on the property as the fire ignites. An unmonitored smoke detector does not notify the local fire department. If a fire breaks out, the smoke detector is practically useless. By the time the neighbors see smoke coming from your home, it may be too late to salvage your valuables.

How do monitored smoke detectors work?

We tie the smoke detectors into your existing burglar alarm system. In the presence of fire or smoke, the smoke detectors send a signal to our central station and the fire department is notified immediately. Your system sends the smoke detection signal to the central station, even when your alarm system in not armed. Also, if you have an interactive alarm system, you receive a notification via text message. That gives your family and property fire protection 24/7, whether you are at home or away.

A monitored smoke system also notifies the central station of low batteries and faulty parts. Per the NFPA 2015 report, dead batteries caused one-quarter (24%) of the smoke alarm failures. Valley Alarm can hard-wire your smoke detectors into the alarm system so that you won’t need to replace the batteries.

The best advantage of monitored smoke detectors is that in the event of a real fire, we respond immediately by dispatching the fire department to the property. The only disadvantage of a monitored smoke detector system is the possibility of a false alarm. The quickest way to report a false alarm is by saving our central station’s phone number. Be sure to give us a call to let us know that the fire department does not need to be dispatched. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!

If you are interested in having us monitor your home’s smoke detectors, call us at 800-550-ALERT.

Edward Michel
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