What causes a false alarm?
False alarms can happen for several reasons, from entering the wrong code to an open door, unexpected movement, cooking smoke, or an accidental button press. Knowing how to respond—and what may have caused the alarm—can help you resolve the event quickly and reduce the chance of it happening again.
If your alarm is going off right now, start with the steps below.
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In this article
Is your alarm going off right now?
What is a false alarm?
What happens when your alarm is triggered?
Why did my alarm go off?
How can I prevent false alarms?
What if the same alarm keeps happening?
Can a false alarm result in a fee?
Still need help?
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Is your alarm going off right now?
First, make sure there is no actual emergency.
Only cancel an alarm when you are certain everyone is safe. If you see signs of a break-in, smell smoke, suspect carbon monoxide, or are unsure whether it is safe, move to a safe location and contact emergency services.
If you are home and know the alarm was triggered accidentally:
1. Disarm your system immediately at the panel.
Enter your user code to stop the alarm.
2. Answer the call from the Alarm Response Center.
If the Alarm Response Center contacts you about the alarm, answer the call so the event can be verified as quickly as possible.
3. Verify your identity.
Be prepared to provide your codeword when requested. Your codeword helps the Alarm Response Center verify that you are authorized to make decisions about the alarm event.
4. Ask to cancel the alarm.
Once your identity has been verified, let the Alarm Response Center know the alarm was accidental and request cancellation of the alarm response.
Need to contact the Alarm Response Center?
To request cancellation of an accidental alarm or dispatch, call
833-274-6571.
Have your codeword ready.
Depending on your system and monitoring setup, you may also receive a text message or mobile notification related to the alarm. Follow the instructions provided and remain available until the alarm event has been resolved.
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What is a false alarm?
A false alarm happens when your security system sends an alarm signal even though there is no actual emergency.
False alarms can be caused by everyday situations such as an entry mistake, an unsecured door or window, unexpected movement, environmental conditions, or equipment that needs attention.
Reducing false alarms can help prevent unnecessary emergency dispatches and helps emergency responders remain available for real emergencies.
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What happens when your alarm is triggered?
When a monitored alarm is triggered, your system sends an alarm signal to the Alarm Response Center. The event is reviewed and the appropriate alarm-response process begins.
Depending on the alarm type and your monitoring setup, you may receive:
• A phone call from the Alarm Response Center
• A text message related to the alarm event
• A mobile notification
• Additional instructions based on the type of alarm received
If the Alarm Response Center calls, answer as soon as possible. Be prepared to verify that you are authorized to manage the alarm event.
Responding promptly can help the Alarm Response Center determine whether the event can be resolved or whether emergency dispatch is necessary.
Tip: Save the Alarm Response Center contact information in your phone so you are more likely to recognize an alarm-related call.
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Why did my alarm go off?
Start by thinking about what happened immediately before the alarm. Most false alarms are caused by a few common situations.
1. Arming or disarming mistakes
Many false alarms happen while someone is entering, leaving, or using the security system.
Common causes include:
• Entering the wrong user code
• Not disarming before the entry delay expires
• Not leaving before the exit delay expires
• Entering through a protected area before disarming
• Arming the system incorrectly or too soon while someone is still moving through protected areas
• Using Away mode when people or pets will remain inside and may activate interior motion detectors
• A guest, sitter, family member, employee, cleaner, or service provider not knowing how to use the system
How to help prevent it: Make sure everyone who regularly uses your system knows how to arm and disarm it correctly. Review your entry and exit delays, and choose the appropriate arming mode for what is happening in the home.
2. A door or window is not completely closed
Even a small amount of movement can matter when a protected door or window is armed.
Common causes include:
• A door or window was slightly open when the system was armed
• A loose door moved after the system was armed
• A window shifted in its frame
• The sensor and magnet are no longer properly aligned
• A sensor was disturbed or did not reset correctly
How to help prevent it: Before arming, make sure protected doors and windows are fully closed and secure. If the same opening repeatedly triggers alarms, the sensor or alignment may need troubleshooting.
3. Motion inside the home
Motion detectors respond to activity within their detection area. Everyday movement or environmental conditions can sometimes cause unexpected activations.
Possible causes include:
• Pets moving through the detector's field of view
• Curtains or blinds moving in airflow
• Balloons, hanging decorations, or plants
• Ceiling fans
• Heating or air-conditioning vents
• Direct sunlight
• Reflective surfaces
• Insects or other pests near the detector
How to help prevent it: Keep the detector's field of view clear and look for anything nearby that moves, reflects light, or is affected by airflow. If you have pets, make sure motion detectors are positioned and configured appropriately for your household.
If the same motion detector repeatedly causes alarms, contact Brinks Home Support for troubleshooting.
4. Smoke detector activation
Smoke detectors are designed to react quickly, but conditions other than a fire can sometimes affect them.
Possible causes include:
• Cooking smoke
• Steam from a nearby kitchen or bathroom
• Dust or debris inside the detector
• Construction or renovation activity
• A low battery or device trouble condition
• An aging detector that may need service or replacement
How to help prevent it: Keep smoke detectors free of dust and debris and address battery or trouble notifications when they appear.
Important: Never assume a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm is false. If you suspect fire, smoke, carbon monoxide, or another hazardous condition, leave the area and follow emergency safety procedures.
5. An accidental panic-button press
This can happen when:
• A keyfob button is pressed while it is in a pocket or bag
• A child plays with a keyfob or emergency button
• A panic or emergency button is pressed accidentally
How to help prevent it: Keep keyfobs and emergency devices where buttons will not be pressed unintentionally, and make sure anyone with access understands what the emergency controls do.
6. A battery or equipment issue
Your security system depends on sensors, batteries, communication connections, and properly installed equipment working together.
How to help prevent it: Do not ignore low-battery, trouble, tamper, or sensor notifications. Address them when they appear. If the same device repeatedly shows a problem or triggers alarms, contact Brinks Home Support.
7. Power interruptions
A power outage, disconnected transformer, or weakened backup battery may cause system trouble or affect normal operation.
How to help prevent it: Make sure your system's transformer remains securely connected to a working outlet. If the system continues to show a power or battery trouble condition after power is restored, additional troubleshooting may be needed.
8. Glassbreak detector activation
Glassbreak detectors are designed to recognize characteristics associated with breaking glass. Certain sounds or environmental conditions may occasionally contribute to an unexpected activation.
How to help prevent it: If a glassbreak detector repeatedly activates when no glass has been broken, note what was happening nearby at the time and contact Brinks Home Support for troubleshooting.
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How can I prevent false alarms?
A few simple habits can make your system easier to use and help reduce accidental alarm events.
Before you arm
• Make sure protected doors and windows are completely closed.
• Confirm whether anyone will remain inside.
• Choose the correct arming mode for your situation.
• Check for pets or moving objects near motion detectors.
• Pay attention to trouble or low-battery messages.
Know the difference between Stay and Away
Choosing the correct arming mode can help prevent accidental motion alarms.
Stay: Use Stay when someone will remain inside the home. This mode is intended to protect appropriate perimeter areas while allowing normal activity inside, depending on your system configuration.
Away: Use Away when everyone is leaving the home. Away mode may activate interior protection such as motion detectors.
If you are unsure how Stay and Away work on your specific system, review the instructions for your panel or contact Brinks Home Support.
Make sure everyone knows how to use the system
• Teach regular users how to arm and disarm correctly.
• Explain the difference between Stay and Away.
• Explain entry and exit delays.
• Make sure authorized contacts know what to do if the Alarm Response Center calls.
• Make sure authorized contacts understand the verification information they are permitted to use.
• Explain panic and emergency buttons to anyone who may have access to them.
Keep your account information current
• Keep your primary phone number up to date.
• Review your emergency contacts when something changes.
• Make sure only the appropriate people have access to your system.
• Review authorized users when household or business access changes.
Protect your verification information
Your codeword may be used by the Alarm Response Center to verify that you are authorized to manage an alarm event. Only share account verification information with people who should have that level of access.
If your account or system supports additional user-specific credentials or verification options, use those options as directed rather than unnecessarily sharing one person's credentials.
Take care of your equipment
• Address battery and trouble notifications promptly.
• Keep detectors clear of dust and environmental obstructions.
• Test your system using the appropriate Brinks Home testing process.
• Get help when the same sensor repeatedly causes an alarm.
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What if the same alarm keeps happening?
One accidental alarm does not necessarily mean your equipment needs service. Repeated alarms from the same device are different.
If the same door, window, motion detector, smoke detector, glassbreak detector, or other sensor repeatedly triggers an alarm, there may be an underlying issue that needs attention.
Before contacting support, it helps to know:
• Which sensor or area triggered the alarm
• Approximately when the alarm occurred
• Which arming mode was being used
• Whether anyone was entering, leaving, or still inside at the time
• Whether a pet was nearby
• Whether there was cooking, steam, construction, or unusual activity nearby
• Whether your system displayed a battery or trouble message
Providing these details can help Brinks Home Support determine whether the issue is related to the environment, how the system is being used, or the equipment itself.
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Can a false alarm result in a fee?
It can. Some cities and municipalities charge fees or fines when emergency responders are dispatched to repeated false alarms.
False-alarm rules, alarm permit requirements, and fee amounts vary by location and are established by local authorities, not Brinks Home. Check with your local jurisdiction if you have questions about requirements where you live.
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Still need help?
Brinks Home Support can help troubleshoot recurring alarms and equipment concerns.
If possible, have the name of the sensor that triggered, the approximate time of the alarm, the arming mode you were using, and any trouble messages displayed by your system ready when you contact us. That information can make troubleshooting faster.