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Keep Valentine's Day stress-free. Deliveries are nice, but balloons left unattended often trigger motion detectors. Prevent False Alarms tonight and throughout the year with these quick tips.

The Holiday with the Most False Alarms

Valentine’s Day is consistently the holiday where false alarm activity spikes. Check out our quick tips to keep you out of the dog house this Valentine’s Day.

False Alarm Tips

  1. Take any deliveries home and ask your team to do the same. Don’t leave balloons in any room with motion detection where the alarm will be set to Away.
  2. Planning to pan-sear those steaks or kick it up a notch with flambé for your Valentine date? You may trigger your smoke detectors. Check out these cooking safety tips here and call us at 410.546-2210 to put your system on Test or declare a false alarm.

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About Alarm Engineering

Locally owned Alarm Engineering has been securing Delmarva since 1985. In that time, we have earned our reputation for integrity, reliability, and quality with our emphasis on superior service to our customers. We know you have choices when it comes to your security system, so here are some things you should know about our team.

Alarm Engineering is leading provider of electronic security systems and services in Delaware and the Eastern Shores of Maryland and Virginia. From integrated home security systems with home automation and video to large enterprise-level integrated systems and small business solutions, our highly trained and professional staff will get the job done right. As an Authorized Alarm.com dealer, we offer exclusive Crash and Smash technology, Geo-Fencing and LiftMaster Garage Control, and the Doorbell Camera as part of our Home Automation offerings.

For more about what sets us apart from the crowd, click here or give us a call at 410-546-2210. But don’t just take our word for it: check out our five star Google Reviews.

 

 If you purchased your smoke detector from the hardware store or your electrician, you likely have an ionization detector, while we recommend and install photoelectric smoke detectors.

Not all Smoke Detectors are Created Equal

In 2022 a fire broke out in a rowhouse in Philadelphia, killing at least 13 people. The deputy fire commissioner stated during a news conference that there were four smoke alarms but none of them worked during the fire.

Most people think of smoke alarms as those annoying devices that go off when you’re pan-searing those delicious steaks. But inside their plastic casing, there are fascinating technologies, making use of light sources and radioactive molecules, to alert us to the presence of smoke. Since their invention in the 1960s, smoke alarms have become integral parts of our homes, often mandated by law. There are two main types of residential smoke alarms, an important fact that is often not mentioned.

If you purchased your smoke detector from the hardware store or your electrician, you likely have an ionization detector, while we recommend and install photoelectric smoke detectors.

You may not know that most house fires are of the smoldering (rather than flaming) type, due to the abundance of flame retardant materials used in furniture upholstery and construction. Photoelectric smoke detectors detect smoldering fires better and faster.

Read about the specific differences for yourself here.

Monitored photoelectric smoke detectors are designed to protect your family and home 24/7, whether your alarm system is armed or not. Learn more about professional monitoring from Alarm Engineering here.

Free Estimates

Tell us a little about you and we will provide a no-charge, no obligation onsite security and fire safety survey. Enter the FIRSTMONTHFREE promo code for extra savings.

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About Alarm Engineering

Locally owned Alarm Engineering has been securing Delmarva since 1985. In that time, we have earned our reputation for integrity, reliability, and quality with our emphasis on superior service to our customers. We know you have choices when it comes to your security system, so here are some things you should know about our team.

Alarm Engineering is leading provider of electronic security systems and services in Delaware and the Eastern Shores of Maryland and Virginia. From integrated home security systems with home automation and video to large enterprise-level integrated systems and small business solutions, our highly trained and professional staff will get the job done right. As an Authorized Alarm.com dealer, we offer exclusive Crash and Smash technology, Geo-Fencing and LiftMaster Garage Control, and the Doorbell Camera as part of our Home Automation offerings.

For more about what sets us apart from the crowd, click here or give us a call at 410-546-2210. But don’t just take our word for it: check out our five star Google Reviews.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, a properly installed and maintained smoke detector is the only thing in your home that can alert you and your family to a fire 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Whether you’re awake or asleep, a working smoke alarm is constantly on alert, scanning the air for fire and smoke.

Time to Test Smoke Detectors

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, a properly installed and maintained smoke detector is the only thing in your home that can alert you and your family to a fire 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Whether you’re awake or asleep, a working smoke alarm is constantly on alert, scanning the air for fire and smoke.

The National Fire Protection Association states almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in properties without working smoke detectors. A working smoke alarm significantly increases your chances of surviving a deadly home fire. 

Professionally Monitored 24/7

Unlike smoke detectors from your electrician or the hardware store, our monitored smoke detectors protect your home and family even if you’re not there to hear the alarm and call the fire department yourself. Your smoke detectors are continuously monitoring your home 24/7 whether your security system is armed or not, so they’re always working for you.

Test your System

The National Fire Protection Association recommends testing your smoke detectors at least twice a year, around Daylight Savings time. If you didn’t test your system then, make sure to do it now! If your smoke detectors are professionally monitored by Alarm Engineering, your system will alert you if there is a low battery. However, we always recommend testing your system on a regular basis. Before you test, just call our office at 410-546-2210 to let us know you will be testing your system.

  • Test smoke alarms often
  • Make sure everyone in the home understands the sound of the smoke alarm and knows how to respond
  • Replace all smoke detectors when they are 10 years old
  • Replace the smoke detector immediately if it doesn’t respond properly when tested
  • Smoke detectors with non-replaceable (long-life) batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, a warning that the battery is low, replace the entire smoke alarm right away
  • For smoke detectors with any other type of battery, replace batteries at least once a year. If the alarm chirps, replace only the battery

Smoke Detector Maintenance

Smoke detectors must be maintained! Your smoke detector only works when it is properly installed and maintained. Depend on your expert team here at Alarm Engineering to professionally install and service your smoke detector, then follow these general maintenance tips:

  • Keep your detectors clean. Dirt, grease and debris will prevent the detector from receiving a free flow of air and thus an accurate reading.
  • Do not paint your detector. Anything that blocks airflow defeats the unit’s purpose.

Never Disable a Smoke Alarm while Cooking

A smoke alarm is just doing its job when it sounds while you’re cooking or taking a shower with lots of steam. If a smoke alarm sounds while you’re cooking or taking a shower with lots of steam, do not remove the battery. You should:

  • Open a window or door and press the “hush” button, if you have one
  • Wave a towel at the alarm to clear the air

Disabling a smoke alarm or removing the battery can be a deadly mistake.

Get Started Now

Keep your home and family safe with a comprehensive security and safety solution from Alarm Engineering. We offer free, no-obligation onsite security and life safety surveys. Tell us a little about you and use Promo Code FIRSTMONTHFREE for additional savings.

  • Hidden
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

About Alarm Engineering

Locally owned Alarm Engineering has been securing Delmarva since 1985. In that time, we have earned our reputation for integrity, reliability, and quality with our emphasis on superior service to our customers. We know you have choices when it comes to your security system, so here are some things you should know about our team.

Alarm Engineering is leading provider of electronic security systems and services in Delaware and the Eastern Shores of Maryland and Virginia. From integrated home security systems with home automation and video to large enterprise-level integrated systems and small business solutions, our highly trained and professional staff will get the job done right. As an Authorized Alarm.com dealer, we offer exclusive Crash and Smash technology, Geo-Fencing and LiftMaster Garage Control, and the Doorbell Camera as part of our Home Automation offerings.

For more about what sets us apart from the crowd, click here or give us a call at 410-546-2210. But don’t just take our word for it: check out our five star Google Reviews.


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