Tag Archives: ADT Silent alarm

Silent Alarms should be a Must for your Alarm System | They are Duress Codes

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Most alarm customers are aware that they have a PANIC button on their keypad. Many of them do not realize that there may also be a “Duress Code” or silent alarm, aka “Hostage Code”.

If you’re not sure if your alarm system has it, you need to call your alarm company to see if they have any indication of it being programmed into your panel. If you own an older alarm system it may be difficult to tell, and even if there is one programmed chances are you may not know what the Duress Code is (usually 4 digits). A Duress Code is different than a Panic button in that it is silent. A Panic button generates an audible alarm sound (Siren) which is good if you want to try and scare an intruder out of your home or cause a lot of ruckus in hopes that a neighbor or passerby will hear that something is wrong. A Panic Button also sends signals out to the alarm company as well.

A Duress code on the other hand is very similar to a panic but it does not generate the siren noise. Not only that, most keypads will pretend to shut off, or turn off when the user enters the duress code so if an intruder see’s the actions, it will appear as though the alarm is OFF. For example, if someone were to follow you into your home and order you to turn your alarm off and you walk straight over to your alarm and enter your Duress Code, then the keypad should play along and turn OFF. The Honeywell Lynx Plus keypad will actually speak and say “SYSTEM DISARMED” for those of you who have a talking keypad (Voice descriptor announcer).

A Duress code alerts the alarm company that this is a serious signal. It could mean a number of things. A person being held at gun point, a person being robbed or some other crime where the homeowner does not want the intruder to know that an alarm signal is going out. It may be a situation where the user wants a Police response but does not want the robber to know that help is on the way due to fear.
There is no playing around on a Duress Code because a user has to go out of their way to enter the special 4 digit PIN number into the keypad. Your Duress Code will be different than your alarm’s main master code. We at America’s Ultimate Security program a Duress Code for our customers but the customer can change Duress code at any point in time to a unique Duress code of their liking. If you press a Duress code, most alarm dispatchers will not even bother calling to verify it; they will just notify the local authorities that it is a Duress signal. Most law enforcement agencies will run a code 4 or a code 3 to respond. They will be aware that they are going on a duress code call because the alarm companies will advise that.
If a user calls the alarm company to advise the duress code was a mistake, don’t be surprised if they police show up anyway.

A Duress code is like a hold up button that banks, convenient stores and other businesses may use. It’s in the same category. When officers respond to a Duress code, you can expect more than one squad car showing up, and, be prepared to come out with your hands up. Police do not play around on a Duress code.

To reset your Duress Code most alarm panels allow you to enter your main 4 digit master code, twice, then press OFF if necessary. That should reset your security system and clear all signals.

If you are planning to get a new alarm system installed you want to make sure your dealer or technician programs your keypad for the Duress code. Almost every brand of keypad is capable of having the Duress code programmed. If the installer doesn’t program your alarm system for a Duress code option then it doesn’t do you a lot of good. Hopefully you do have some sort of PANIC button programmed at least.

If you are in the Texas area and would like us to upgrade your old alarm system, we might be able to help you if you are not in a contract with another alarm company. Visit our website here at www.TexasBestAlarms.com.

Leave us a comment if you have any questions.

This BLOG is written by Jimmy Maddox, employed by America’s Ultimate Security. The opinions and advise are strictly his and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the company, AUS Inc., ADT Security or any other company that may have been implied.

Don’t become a Victim – use your Duress Code – It could save your Life

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I did an installation recently where I was explaining to the customer how to use the
duress code on their alarm system and what it is used for as I always do. They told me a story about a horrible crime that happened to a person they knew. I did not know the victim personally in this case but I knew the husband, because he is also a customer of ADT who I signed up and installed a couple months back. This horrible crime took place around 2000 according to a published article. I was not living around the area at the time.

I am talking about a murder that took place in San Diego, Texas around 2000. A man and wife are married and a crazy psycho has the hots for his wife. After weeks and months of harrasing and stalking, this criminal showed up one day at the back door and knocked. When the lady opened the door, the psycho stalker shot her point blank. She died a short time later at a hospital. The killer also went to a near by bar later that day and open fired on Patrons. He was later captured and is now in prison.

My point here is a Duress Code can be crucial to use. In the above case it may not have prevented the “point blank” shooting, but if the Duress code was activated , help and rescue could be on the way a lot sooner. It was unclear if the lady’s (the victim) husband was home or not at the time of the killing..

A Duress Code is a 4 number code one can enter into the keypad to activate a silent alarm. That means no siren will go off, just emergency signals sent out to your alarm company. Most alarm monitoring companies do not bother to call and verify a duress code ( aka silent alarm, aka hostage / hold up button ) because a customer has to intentionally press all four numbers in. That is usually not going to be a false alarm. If activated, Police can be on their way in seconds, and they will know upon arrival that it is going to be a DURESS CODE CALL.

This Duress code feature can be used if someone follows you home. As soon as you get in, press the Duress Code. Know that help is on the way. It is a lot different than a PANIC button, in that a Panic button makes noise. It will activate the siren as audible. Some alarm systems may be programmed to have the panic button set as non audible, meaning silent alarm, but in most cases a PANIC button is associated with an “audible” siren. Duress code is “non audible” (silent).
A panic button might be used if the home owner feels an active siren will cause the situation to diffuse. A siren may cause the would be robber to flee immediately in fear of getting caught. A Siren could be heard from people next door or across the street and may cause them to look in that direction. So in some cases, the PANIC button is your friend because it makes noise and calls the Alarm company too who can then dispatch POLICE.

Duress Codes are great in that there are some type of situations where you do not want the robber to hear the siren and signals going out to the alarm company in fear that they might get angrier and shoot or harm someone in retaliation.

Use common sense and don’t hesitate to use your Duress Code or Panic button.

If you are looking for wireless security in Texas, where our ADT authorized dealer is based give me a ring and I will do what I can to help fit you in the best package possible. We often have promotions going on so before you make a decision, give me a call for a quick and easy quote.

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This BLOG is written by Jimmy Maddox, employed by America’s Ultimate Security. The opinions and advise are strictly his and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the company, AUS Inc., ADT Security or any other company that may have been implied.