1. What do I do if I inadvertently set off my security alarm?
   1. Enter your code to silence the system.
   2. Call our Central Monitoring Station at 206-328-1800 immediately to let us know that it is not an actual alarm/emergency. Depending on how quickly you are able to silence your alarm, it may have registered as an "alarm trip and reset" in our system. Depending on the situation, we may choose not to contact you if your system briefly goes into alarm and is immediately disarmed. Instruct your employees to answer the phone if they inadvertently set off the alarm system—it may be Washington Alarm calling to verify the alarm!
2. What happens when you get a burglar alarm signal from my business or home?
   1. Because the vast majority of all burglar alarms are false alarms, Washington Alarm voluntarily adopted a "multiple call verification" policy in 1990. When we receive a security alarm signal from your home or business, we attempt to reach someone who can verify that the alarm is real or false. We do this by calling the premises and the Emergency Call List (ECL). That is why it is critical that you periodically review and update your Emergency Call List! If you or anyone on your ECL gets a new cell phone, a new job or moves away, we need to be notified so we don't waste valuable time calling disconnected numbers. This policy of verifying alarms before dispatching is so effective in reducing the number of false alarms that several municipalities and police departments throughout the country have recently adopted similar "alarm verification" procedures with stiff fines and penalties for companies not observing the procedure.
   2. Please note that if we have reason to believe that the alarm is real, we may elect to contact the police prior to notifying you or calling the ECL.
3. What happens when you get a fire alarm signal?
   1. We treat all fire alarm signals as real, actual emergencies requiring response from the Fire Department and dispatch them immediately. We can not cancel a fire alarm dispatch once it is requested, but we can call them and let them know that it is not an emergency so they do not risk the lives of the fire response crew and citizens by racing to a non-emergency. If you set off your smoke detector while cooking, please call us at 206-328-1800 and let us know that there is no fire.
4. What is an "ECL" and why is it so important?
   1. An ECL is an abbreviation for your Emergency Contact List, which is a list of the individuals we are to contact in the event of an alarm. Typically these individuals are authorized to make decisions concerning your alarm system. They may be asked to meet the fire or police department on-site following an alarm. It is critical that you periodically review and update your Emergency Call List. If you or anyone on your ECL gets a new cell phone, a new job or moves away, we need to be notified so we don't waste valuable time calling disconnected numbers.
5. What's the advantage of using a UL-listed monitoring station?
   1. A UL-Listed Central Station is subjected to outside inspections and is held to a higher standard of site safety and reliability. Our records, building, systems and procedures are independently surveyed by Underwriters Laboratories to assure that we meet their rigid requirements. UL is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting consumer safety. As an end-user, you can be assured that Washington Alarm has passed the highest ratings in the industry! Washington Alarm has been UL listed since 1974.
6. Why doesn't my phone work when my alarm goes off? Or Why can't I place a call from my telephone line after I set off my alarm?
   1. The alarm panel uses your telephone line to communicate with our Central Monitoring Station. When there is an alarm signal or event, the alarm panel in your home seizes the telephone line and sends the information to us. For this reason, we try to schedule your automatic system test signals for a time of day that you are least likely to be using the telephone. There will be a brief period (usually lasting about a minute) following an alarm signal or event during which your line will appear edead' and you will not be able to make or receive telephone calls. Do not keep trying to dial out manually. Wait for approximately one minute to give the system time to communicate. The more zones tripped, the longer the communication process.
   2. If you have supervised openings and closings on your system, each time the system is armed/disarmed the panel will seize the phone line and terminate any call that was in progress at the time of the signal. If you find that it is too disruptive, please call our Sales Department (206-328-3288) to discuss alternate methods of communication that we offer our customers.
7. My smoke detectors are chirping, what do I do?
   1. Washington Alarm smoke detectors do not chirp; they communicate directly with our Central Station. If yours is chirping, the most common cause is that you have a simple battery-powered (usually 9-volt) smoke detector in need of a fresh battery.
8. What does a Central Station do?
   1. Our Central Station is the go-between for your alarm system and the local authorities. Should your fire or burglar system go into a state of alarm, your system will communicate the emergency to the Central Station. In most cases, Washington Alarm will then attempt to contact you to verify the alarm, and will then dispatch the appropriate local authorities. In the event of a fire alarm, however, the fire department will be dispatched immediately.
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9. Will your Central Station receive an alarm signal if the alarm is not armed?
   1. No, we will not receive an alarm signal. It is important to turn your alarm on, even when you are at home. It is best to have your perimeter protection on whenever possible. Perimeter protection is an option that allows you to move about freely inside your home while all doors and windows are armed.
10. Can I use my system when I am home?
    1. Yes, and we recommend that you make a habit of it! To use your system while you are in your home, you will need to ebypass' any zones of interior protection (i.e. motion detectors). Contact our Central Station 24 hours a day at 206-328-1800 if you need help determining which zones are interior, bypassing them temporarily, or to inquire if your system is capable of being programmed for "home", "sleep" and "away" modes. Many systems will even prompt you to select "perimeter" or "all" protection when you are arming your system. Remember, if you don't arm your system we won't get an alarm signal and won't know there is a problem.
11. Can I get a discount on my homeowner's insurance if I get an alarm system?
    1. Most insurance companies give significant discounts to homeowners who have monitored alarm systems. Call your agent.
12. How do I go about testing my system?
    1. Prior to testing devices, call our Central Monitoring Station (206-328-1800) and inform that you intend to test your system. They will ask you questions to identify your system i.e. Name, address, etc. then they will ask for your passcode. After the operator has confirmed that your system is in the test mode, you may arm it, and then begin testing devices. When you are done, call the Central Station back and request that they verify receipt of your test signals, and then inform them that you are done testing. (Any signals received after that will be treated as actual alarms!)
13. My telephone lines are exposed, what happens when the phones are dead or the line gets cut?
    1. Normally, if your phone lines become disabled due to tampering, severe weather, or construction, your alarm signal will not reach our 24-Hour Central Monitoring Station. Because our 24-Hour Central Monitoring Station is a critical part of your security system, Washington Alarm offers several alternative communication options. Please contact our Sales Department at 206-328-3288 for more information.
14. My alarm system was not installed by Washington Alarm. Can Washington Alarm still monitor it?
    1. Yes. In many cases Washington Alarm will be able to program your existing panel into our monitoring station. Repairs and upgrades can also be done if needed. When you've satisfied your current contractual obligations, call and ask about our special conversion rates for existing systems. Please call (206) 328-3288 and ask to speak with the representative for your area. Or, if you prefer, we can contact you concerning your activation. Just click here to provide the necessary information.
15. What if I already have a Washington Alarm System installed?
    1. Whether you already have a Washington Alarm system or you have another brand, we can help you activate the system. If Washington Alarm does not monitor your system, feel safer by converting to Washington Alarm when you've satisfied your current contractual obligations. Call and ask about our special conversion rates for existing systems. Please call (206) 328-3288 and ask to speak with the representative for your area. Or, if you prefer, we can contact you concerning your activation. Just click here to provide the necessary information.
16. Do I need to do anything special with my alarm before I go on vacation?
    1. YES! If you are having someone care for your home while you are away, please notify our Central Station. Too often house/pet sitters are unfamiliar with your alarm system and inadvertently set off the alarm. Then they either do not answer the phone when we call to verify the emergency or they answer the phone but are unable to provide us with a valid password/code. When this happens we treat the event as an actual alarm and dispatch the police. If you are leaving town, please contact our Central Station to let us know and to request a temporary password/code for your house sitter.
       Similarly, if you have household employees who are authorized to be in your home please instruct them to answer the phone if they set off the alarm and provide them with a password/code. Please contact our Central Station to request a household employee password/code and to advise us of the hours that they may be in your home with permission.
17. Why Choose Washington Alarm?
    1. We care about our customers! At Washington Alarm, each member of our experienced, professional staff is dedicated to the highest measure of quality. We take great pride in our work and constantly strive to ensure that our products, workmanship, and services exceed the expectations of our customers. Washington Alarm has created a distinct line of products and services designed to provide our Commercial and Residential customers with a full range of intrusion, fire, access control, and video surveillance solutions.

• Access Control System - Allows companies to control or limit access by employees into and within various areas of your building via an electronic keycard and card readers. Eliminates the need for traditional keys, thereby offering more control of your building. Also enables a range of reporting capabilities that can be quite useful in improving business operations.
• Battery Back-up - This is placed inside the control panel, and keeps your system running in the event of a power failure.
• Blue Strobe - Can be used in conjunction with your siren to indicate an alarm condition and help police or neighbors quickly notice your property. Not to be confused with a Fire Alarm Strobe, which is ADA-rated for fire alarm notification purposes.
• Bypass - Selectively remove points from the security system to allow system operation during remodels or construction.
• Central Monitoring Center - Staffed 24 hours a day, operators respond to alarms by notifying police or fire of emergency situations. The Central Monitoring Station should be U.L. Listed.
• Chime Mode (Watch Mode) - Systems can be set to alert you with a chime whenever a door or window is opened, even while the system is disarmed. This feature is ideal for families with young children, elderly relatives, or with hazards on or near their property (i.e. swimming pools, ponds, hot tubs, busy streets, high decks, etc.).
• Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) - Camera surveillance allows people to record activity at their homes and businesses as well as a deterrent to crime by their very presence.
• Contacts - These devices detect the opening of protected doors, windows, vaults, etc. when the system is armed.
• Control Panel - The command center of the alarm system, housed in a tough steel enclosure and typically placed in an inconspicuous location.
• Covert Closed Circuit Television - Record activity at your home or business without anyone knowing there is a camera. Ideal for office theft problems and gaining popularity in the home to secretly watch baby sitters and nannies.
• Entry/Exit Delay - A programmed delay of system alarm response that allows you to enter or exit an armed area through designated point(s).
• Environmental Devices - Can detect potential home/business disasters such as water/flood, high/low temperature alarms, or changes in critical fluid levels.
• Fire Protection - A system for the detection and warning of a fire; Involves devices such as smoke detectors, heat detectors, manual pull stations, horn strobes, and strobes.
• Hold-up Button - Used in a commercial setting, a device that, when pressed, sends an emergency signal to our Central Station. Can be programmed to be silent or audible.
• Interior Horn - Audible siren alerts occupants of an alarm condition.
• Intercom-Audio - For added safety, the intercom allows you to talk to the person at your door without having to open it.
• Intercom-Video - This intercom system allows you to see and talk to the person at your door without having to open it.
• Keypad / Digital Arming Station - Allow arming and disarming of system.
• Keypad Panic Button - By pressing a specific button or series of buttons on your keypad, an audible alarm will sound and an emergency signal will be sent to our Central Station to dispatch the police.
• Motion Detector - An interior motion detector senses intruder movement in your home or business.
• Pass Code or Pass Word - Verbal code (can be a word, a name, a number, etc.) that enables Central Station operators to verify they are speaking with an authorized person during telephone communications.
• Portable Arming/Disarming Device - Hand held remote device that allows you to arm and disarm your system from outside of your home (average range of 75 feet).
• Portable Panic Button - This lightweight panic button can be worn with a clip or around your neck. This device activates audible alarms to chase off intruders and to alert our Central Station operators to dispatch the police for assistance. Used in residential settings.
• Reliable Communications - An alternate backup communication path between your alarm system and our Central Station that is utilized in the event of phone line failure, interruption or vandalism. Examples of reliable communications are long-range radio and internet backup.
• Smart Alarm Interface - a module that can be added to certain security systems to turn various lights on during an alarm event.
• Smoke Detector - A life-safety device that gives an audible warning and provides early detection of smoke. A monitored smoke detector that is tripped/activated sounds an audible alarm on site and automatically sends a signal to our Central Station. Our operators will immediately alert the Fire Department of your emergency.
• Sump Pump Monitor - Helps prevent basement flooding. When water in a sump pump reaches a critical level, the monitor sends a signal to your alarm panel and communicates this environmental alarm to our Central Station.
• Temperature Sensor (High/Low) - Thermostat type sensor which can be programmed to notify our Central Station when the temperature in your building or residence reaches a predetermined high or low. Usually used to prevent pipes from freezing when a homeowner is away for extended periods of time.
• Underwriters Laboratories (U.L.) - An independent, not-for-profit product-safety testing and certification organization founded in 1894 dedicated to improving consumer safety.
• U.L. Listed - This means the Central Station or device in question has passed the rigorous test and standards for the Underwriters Laboratories. Many applications require that the Central Station, alarm panel, and all of its components be U.L. Listed.
• User ID #/Alarm Code - Number that is actually entered into the keypad enabling users to arm or disarm and access the menu of the system.
• Zone - An area of coverage within your alarm system. Typically alarm systems are organized into several areas of coverage or zones. Examples: perimeter doors, second floor windows, front door, basement smoke detector, etc. Grouping alarm detection devices into clearly defined zones enables us to tell you exactly where the security breach occurred.

1. Secure the perimeters of your business site. Make sure walls and gates are maintained and secure.
2. Install a Washington Alarm monitored security system and use it.
3. Make sure all doors and windows are locked before leaving each day, and close your blinds. A clearly visible computer is a very tempting target for theft.
4. Keep building and parking area well lit at night to deter intruders and ensure employee safety. Consider installing motion sensor lighting and a CCTV system.
5. Deter intruders from roof access by strategically placed anti-climb plants or other anti-scale barriers.
6. If you are a retailer, design floor layout to provide adequate surveillance of stock. The use of convex mirrors, video surveillance and alarmed goods are excellent deterrents.
7. Install a Washington Alarm "keyless" Card Access System to control access into and within your building. Studies find that 30% of business thefts and burglaries are accomplished using a duplicate key. (Unauthorized key duplicates can be made at most retail stores.)
8. Security mark all computer equipment, consider bolting valuable items to desks.
9. All telephone lines should enter the building underground to protect the integrity of the monitored alarm system. Washington Alarm offers several back up methods of alarm signal transmission to ensure that communication between your system and our Central Station is not interrupted during phone line outages or vandalism.
10. Join or start a business watch group with neighboring businesses. This is a great way to stay informed on risks in your local area and prevent crime through awareness.

1. Install a fire alarm system that is monitored by a UL Listed Central Monitoring Station (such as Washington Alarm).
2. Fire extinguishers should be kept at readily available locations near potential fire sources (furnaces and stoves) and also near employee work areas.
3. Post escape routes in every area of the building and clearly mark all fire exits.
4. Make sure that each area has an alternative escape route in case the first is inaccessible.
5. Hold practice drills regularly in order to familiarize staff with procedures for safely exiting the building.
6. Do not overload electrical sockets. Unplug items when they are not in use.
7. In case of an actual fire situation, it is imperative that your address is easily seen by emergency vehicles.
8. Install commercial fire sprinklers.
9. For more information regarding fire safety, please visit the National Fire Protection Agency's website at www.nfpa.org

1. Remember to lock all doors and windows when you leave the home.
2. Keep all valuable items out of sight.
3. Install proper lighting around your home to keep it well lit at night.
4. Introduce yourself to your neighbors and get to know them. Also, take the initiative to start a Neighborhood Watch group.
5. When you are out of town, do not lure burglars with stacks of newspapers and an overflowing mailbox. Either have a trusted neighbor pick them up daily or have the post office and news carrier hold them for you.
6. Set timers for lights and a television so it appears that someone is home while you are traveling.
7. Do not hide spare keys in obvious places such as: under doormats, in the mailbox, etc.
8. Install a peephole in your front door to make it possible to see who is there without having to open it.
9. Monitored alarm systems are effective at deterring burglars.
10. Do not give out your alarm code to just anyone. Only a family member or trusted friend should know the code in case of an emergency.
11. Prune lower limbs from trees near the house.
12. Entry doors should be solid core wood that is at least 1-3/4" thick, or metal. Doors should fit tightly--1/8" clearance maximum. Doors with glass panels should have a break-resistant plastic panel or metal grill. Use a dead-bolt door lock with a strike plate attached by 3" screws.

1. Smoke detectors that are monitored by a UL Listed Central Monitoring Station are effective. Whether you are home or away, Washington Alarm will always be looking out for you.
2. Check the batteries and test your smoke alarm monthly.
3. Have a planned escape route for your home with a safe meeting place.
4. Make sure that each room has an alternative escape route in case the first is inaccessible.
5. Hold practice drills regularly so the entire family is familiar with the procedure for safely exiting the house.
6. Do not overload electrical sockets. Unplug items when they are not in use.
7. Furnaces and heating systems should be cleaned on an annual basis.
8. Install a spark arrestor on your chimney to prevent sparks from starting a fire on your roof, nearby trees, etc. Also, cut back trees so they do not hang directly over the chimney.
9. In case of an actual fire situation, it is imperative that your address is easily seen by emergency vehicles.
10. For more information regarding fire safety, please visit the National Fire Protection Agency's website at www.nfpa.org

1. Children should know their full name, address, and telephone number. If your child is too young to speak clearly, purchase a child identification product that securely attaches to the laces of your child's shoe (to avoid a choking hazard, small children should never wear jewelry, not even id bracelets!).
2. Teach children how to dial "911" in case of an emergency.
3. Make sure children always tell a parent, guardian, or another trusted adult where they are going.
4. Tell them to never go with or accept anything from a stranger. Also, teach them that a stranger is anyone that they or you do not know well or trust.
5. Let them know that it is okay to tell you or another trusted adult if they see anyone doing something they know is not right or makes them feel uncomfortable.
6. For older children who stay home alone, reiterate the importance of never telling anyone that they are home alone. Make it a rule that all doors and windows must be kept closed and locked when they are home alone. If you have an alarm system in your home, teach your child to operate the system so they can use the system when they are home alone. Consider adding supervised openings and closings to your system so you can monitor when your child arrives home and whether they are using the system as instructed.
7. Prepare an emergency contact phone list for your child to keep with them. Make sure you include your work and/or cell phone numbers.
8. Prepare and practice a safe route to school. Teach your child to pay attention to their surroundings, what to watch out for, and what to do if someone is following them.
9. Have your child fingerprinted and always have a recent photo of them.

Packing your bags

• Clean out your wallet or purse - take only the credit cards you'll need.
• Use credit cards and traveler's checks whenever possible.
• Carry your wallet in an inside front pocket.
• Carry your purse close to your body or use a fanny pack.
• Pack lightly, too many bags will slow you down and make you a target.
• Keep a record of what you've packed.
• Put medicines and jewelry in a carry-on bag, and keep it with you.

• Don't display jewelry, cameras, bags, or other items that draw attention from potential thieves.
• Check maps before you leave, plan your route ahead of time.
• Stay on well-lit, well-traveled roads.
• Lock your car when you leave it.
• Keep maps and tour books out of sight, not on the seat or dashboard.
• Know where your children are at ALL times.
• Set a meeting place - just in case you're separated.
• Make sure the children know where to call in an emergency.
• Remind children to NEVER accept favors or rides from strangers.

1. Lock all of your doors.
2. Secure sliding glass doors to prevent them from being lifted out of the track. Sliding doors need special locks or a wooden strip in the track to block the door from opening.
3. Disable your automatic garage door openers.
4. Leave a radio playing loud enough to be heard just outside the door.
5. Use automatic lighting timers inside your home. Place them on different lights in your home, and set them to different schedules.
6. Use energy-efficient outdoor lighting that operates on photoelectric sensors.
7. Arrange to have the grass mowed (or snow shoveled) while you are away. Have someone check your home daily, especially in the winter months to prevent furnace failure and pipes from freezing. Also check freezers and refrigeration.
8. ID your travel bags with your business address, not your home address.
9. Register at the hotel/motel using your business address and phone number.
10. Do not have work associates divulge to callers your destination or length of stay.
11. Turn the bell on your telephone low so a burglar will not hear it ringing.
12. Have a high quality monitored security system installed by the professionals at Washington Alarm.