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False Alarm Prevention

By:
Gilbert Cho
|July 28, 2015
False alarms, the bane of the home security industry: an annoyance for the companies to handle, a nightmare for homeowners and a thorn in the side of emergency responders. Safe to say, no one likes false alarms. Thankfully, most false alarms are caused by human error, which means they’re easily fixed. But pinpointing the exact issue that’s causing the false alarm can be difficult, which is why we’re here to help. Here are a few ways to prevent the most common causes of security system false alarms.

Memorize your codes

The most common cause of false alarms is when a user simply enters the wrong user code. Choose a code that you can easily remember, but would be difficult for an intruder to figure out (please don’t use 1-1-1-1).

Make sure doors and windows are properly closed

Be mindful of any doors and windows that have sensors on them. It can be easy to think you’ve closed them, when they’re still actually cracked open, meaning your Door and Window Sensors won’t be lined up correctly.

Be mindful of sensor placement

Careful placement of your security sensors is crucial to preventing false alarms. You should avoid pointing Motion Sensors towards heating vents and windows. Also, if you have any pets over 40 pounds, you should not place Motions Sensors in areas frequented by those pets.

Alert guests to your home security system

Let your visitors know that you have a home security system. Babysitters and cleaners may need to come by when you aren’t home; so let them know how to use your system to avoid setting off a false alarm.

Contact your home security provider

If you think your false alarm is a result of something going wrong with your system, or if you just need assistance, contact your security system provider. They’ll be able to troubleshoot and walk you through any issues to find a quick resolution.