Panic Buttons and Duress Codes: Silent Emergency Communication

There are situations where openly calling for help could put you in greater danger. A home invasion where the intruder is present, a robbery in progress at a business, or a domestic violence situation all require silent emergency communication. Panic buttons and duress codes provide exactly that capability.

Panic Buttons

Panic buttons are dedicated devices that send an immediate silent alarm to the monitoring center when pressed. They come in several forms: fixed buttons mounted under desks or counters, wireless pendants worn on the body, and key fob devices carried in pockets. When activated, the monitoring center dispatches law enforcement without sounding any audible alarm at the premises, avoiding escalation with a present threat.

Duress Codes

A duress code is a special disarm code that appears to function normally but secretly sends a silent alarm to the monitoring center. If an intruder forces you to disarm your alarm, entering the duress code instead of your regular code turns off the siren as expected, but simultaneously signals the monitoring center that you are under threat. Law enforcement is dispatched without the intruder knowing.

Commercial Applications

Businesses handling cash, jewelry stores, banks, and pharmacies routinely install panic buttons at employee workstations. These devices comply with OSHA workplace violence prevention recommendations and are often required by insurance carriers for high-risk commercial operations.

Emergency Protection in Jackson

Residents and business owners in Jackson, MS add panic buttons and duress codes to their Berkley Security systems for the ultimate safety net. Our technicians program and test these silent alarms to ensure they function flawlessly when seconds count.