I'm going on vacation. Are there any special precautions I should take?
Be sure your contact information is up-to-date. The Monitoring Station can review this with you before you leave. Your Emergency Notification List should be updated annually. Be sure to notify the Post Office and newspaper delivery service to hold or stop service. Or, a better solution might be to reciprocate with your neighbors and ask one of them to hold your mail and newspapers.

I just added a DSL or Cable phone line and caller ID. Do I need to change my alarm system?
Whenever you add or remove optional features from your telephone system (i.e., call waiting, call block for telemarketers), remember to talk to your STING Monitoring Station to be sure your alarm system is still transmitting properly. In some cases, you may want to connect your alarm system to a different line. This is normally an easy switch, but will require a Service Order and a site visit by your Maintenance Technician. In any case you should test your alarm transmission to the Monitoring Station whenever a change is made to your phone system. Often a switch to DSL service will require the installation of a special “filter” between your phone line and the alarm control panel. Recent new services like “Voice Over IP” Internet phone service may NOT work with your installed alarm system. Talk to your STING Agent about options to insure no breaks in your service.

I'm ready to leave, but my keypad says the system is not ready to arm. What do I do now?
The keypad is indicating that a zone or device is in the "open" or "trouble" condition. It usually means that a door or window is not closed properly, or a motion sensor is detecting movement and not reset. Correct the problem condition and the keypad should indicate ready to arm. If the problem still exists, it may have to be corrected by a qualified STING Service Technician. Customer Service can assist you at 1-866-401-4842.

I just set off my alarm and my siren is blowing, what do I do now?
Don't panic. Remember your security I.D. pass-code or password. If the alarm activation was accidental, carefully disarm your system with your key-code per your system's instructions. This should reset the alarm. After you've reset the system, wait for the Monitoring Station to call you. If you do not hear from them, your system may have aborted the alarm when you put in your key-code. Don't leave your home or business until you've spoken with the Monitoring Station representative and assured them there is not an emergency. In some cases it may be possible to re-call the authorities if dispatch has taken place.

My alarm activated while I was at work. The Monitoring Station called me and asked me to respond. What do I do now?
The Monitoring Station follows a prescribed alarm verification procedure. Part of that procedure is to follow the Emergency Notification List that you provided at the time of installation. That may include calling you at work should an alarm be generated from your home during business hours or calling you at home if an alarm was generated from your business. If police or guards are responding to your alarm, they almost always require a responsible party to be present or on the way to the alarmed premises. If it appears that there really is or was an intrusion, do not enter the premises without the police. Go to a neighbor's house or other location, call the Monitoring Station or 9-1-1 and wait for the authorities to respond.

We're remodeling and changing doors and adding walls. Do I wait until the remodeling is complete to call for service?
Any time there's construction being done or a number of new people are in and around your premises, the possibility exists that your home or business may be vulnerable to unauthorized entry or intrusion. It's a good idea to review your blueprints or remodeling plans with STING before starting work. Your local STING Agent may suggest options and/or additions consistent with your remodel. It may also be advisable to make temporary repairs or alterations to the security or fire alarm to insure proper operation during the construction phase.