If you own a home security alarm, it’s likely that it has gone off a time or two. It’s also pretty likely that you’ve frozen out of fear, thinking, “Is there actually a burglar in my house or is this just another false alarm? If there is a burglar, what should I do about it?”

Don’t worry, you’re not alone! We’ve got some tips to help you keep your heart rate under control and prepare for the next time your house alarm goes off.

Remain Calm

It’s hard to do with a shrieking alarm, but the first thing to do when your home alarm system goes off is to take a deep breath and remain calm. Whatever you do, don’t panic!. The only way you can assess the situation is by staying calm, cool, and collected.

Although false alarms are pretty rare, there's always a chance that your alarm is sounding for no particular reason. Common reasons for false alarms include faulty wiring, aging systems, and human error. If it’s a false alarm, simply turn your system off and keep your phone nearby in case your security system provider tries to call. Once you’ve determined why it went off in the first place, take steps to prevent future false alarms. It’s important to feel confident in your security system and to know that it’s working properly.

If you feel comfortable turning the system off, you are encouraged to do so. Most security systems offer mobile app access, so you don’t have to go to the actual system to see what is happening. At this point, if you have ruled out a false alarm and you have an intruder, then you should follow the following steps.

Go to your safe place

In almost all situations involving a burglar, it isn’t the safest plan to try and approach them. You are only endangering yourself and those around you. The best plan is to go to a room that you have designated as a “safe place.” This is a room that is as far away as possible from where a burglar could enter. It is a plus if you can lock the door, but if not, at least make it a room that you can easily and safely stand watch.

Have a Phone

If you’re experiencing a break-in, be sure to have your phone on your person or make sure that your safe place is equipped with a functioning landline. It is important to have access to a phone so you can call the police and answer any calls you may receive from your home security monitoring provider.

When your alarm monitoring service provider calls, they will need your password to confirm your identity and to help you access the situation. Be sure to have your password memorized,  safely stored on your phone, or tucked away in your safe place.

Remember your system is doing its job

Assuming your alarm system has been going off for a while, the sound should have helped scare away any potential burglars. If this doesn’t cause them to leave, it will hopefully slow them down until the authorities arrive. You can rest assured that your alarm system will help keep you safe because after all, this incident is the whole reason you bought it.

What if your neighbor’s house alarm goes off?

Resist the urge to immediately dismiss the alarm as false. Be neighborly and use your outside vantage point to observe their house and see if anything looks out of the ordinary. You could be the one to help them decide if it is a false alarm or not!

Hopefully, you have your neighbor’s number and you can contact them to share your observations. If something looks suspicious, notify the police immediately!

No matter if the alarm going off is yours or your neighbors, it can always cause some uneasiness. Make sure your alarm system is up to date, contact NCA Alarms today!