Often when people think of a security system, they think of beeping doors and loud sirens that scare off would-be-criminals. Yes, that is an important function of your security system, but it is also much more than that. We receive thousands of signals every day from across the country and many of them have nothing to do with intrusions. VOXCOM operators are trained to deal with all types of emergencies and you can rely on us to react quickly in your time of need.

We have provided brief descriptions for two of the many non-intrusion emergencies we encounter on a daily basis. These are actual events. Our hope is to inform you of the different ways we are looking out for you. Names and specific details have been modified or removed to protect the identity of the individuals involved.

After you have read the stories please continue on for a description of how to ensure that your system is operating properly and a brief description of how to use the PANIC buttons and DURESS codes that exist on most keypads*. These are especially important in case of an emergency while you are in the home.

Emergency # 2 - Male Child - Accidental Prescription Drug Overdose

I. Test your system regularly
To ensure that your system is operating properly you can test your system on a regular basis. Here are the steps you can take to test your system.

1. Call our Customer Service Centre at 1.800.387.2966. Make sure you know your passcode so that we can verify your identity. A Customer Service Representative will set your system to test mode.
2. After you have spoken to a Customer Service Representative hang up the phone and arm your system to AWAY mode.
3. Open up every door and every window that has a sensor, set off all motion detectors.
4. Press the test button on your VOXCOM monitored smoke alarm (if you have one).
5. If you have them, press Police, Fire and Medical buttons on your keypad (Note: if you have a remote control, make sure you use this to set off panic/police alarms).
6. Close all windows and doors, then disarm your system.
7. Call back into customer service to check to see of all of your systems "zones" were activated by the test. You should receive a full diagnostic of your sensors from one of our representatives.

II. Ensure that all keyholders have unique passcodes A keyholders is anyone that you allow into your home or business that can disarm and arm your system. Make sure that each keyholder has their own passcode. By doing so your system will be able to identify who is accessing your home or business.

III. Keep Your Contact Information Up to Date

If any of your contact information has changed, such as a cell phone number or you have a new neighbour looking out for your home please let us know as soon as possible. You can fill out our account information update form, email us at , or call our Customer Service Centre at 1.800.387.2966.

IV. Learn how to use the PANIC and DURESS Alarms Most security systems are equipped with PANIC buttons* - this may be one button or more than one, usually FIRE, POLICE and MEDICAL. When one of these is pressed your system will contact our Emergency Response Centre. We will assess the situation and react accordingly. A DURESS code is a bit different from the PANIC button. It is used to notify the Emergency Response Centre that a situation has occurred that requires immediate police assistance. This code can either be entered into your alarm panel without the system being armed, or can be verbally expressed to an operator over the telephone. The difference between a PANIC and a DURESS alarm is that an operator will call the home first for a PANIC signal, then dispatch the appropriate authorities if necessary. For a DURESS signal, authorities will be immediately dispatched without contacting the home or business. This function is especially useful if there is an intruder in the the home or business and you do not want to alert them to the fact that you have contacted our Response Centre.

For more information on how to use your security system visit our online customer service centre or call us anytime at 1.800.387.2966.

*Some security panels do not have PANIC buttons but rather they have PANIC codes. If you are unsure of how to use these features on your system please consult your manual or contact our customer service centre, email us at , or call 1.800.387.2966.