Tips For Reducing False-Alarm Occurrences With Your Home Security System
As a homeowner, the desire to protect your family is often a strong one. However, understanding just how to do that can be difficult. You may have decided to install a whole-home security system in that effort. While these systems are a great way to protect your family, they are not infallible. Unfortunately, you may experience false alarms when you have a security system like this. Those false alarms can be not only worrisome, but also problematic. For example, if your local police or fire department will charge you for false alarms, it may prove costly. Here are some tips to help you avoid these problems.
Know Your System
One of the best ways to prevent false alarms is to know your system as well as possible. This means using it on a regular basis. The more you use the system, the more familiar you will be with it. You'll learn what you can and cannot do when the system is armed, which reduces your chances of accidentally triggering it by moving into a sensor zone once you've armed it.
Further, you'll also become more familiar with the various settings for the alarm system. These settings allow you to vary which parts of the alarm system are active. For example, when you set it to the "away" setting, or the "nighttime" setting, most every aspect of the system will be active. When you set it to the "home" setting, you'll likely have just the exterior entryways secured.
Check Your Windows And Doors
One common cause of false alarms on security systems is worn-out hardware on doors and windows. If your doors or windows are damaged, rattle in the wind, or are loose, these types of things can cause the sensor to trip, activating the alarm.
Take the time to evaluate each window and door on the home. Make sure that all of the hardware is new and sturdy. Replace any worn or damaged frames as well because that will help keep everything secure as well.
If you have pets, you also need to make sure that the door you let them in and out isn't going to trigger your alarm. You can put a note near the door that reminds you to disarm the alarm before you let them out, or you can have the alarm panel installed right next to that door so you can disarm it before it actually goes off.
Look For Hidden Triggers
Another cause of false alarms is hidden triggers inside your house. Whether you're dealing with a pendulum that moves on a clock, curtains that blow in the breeze, heat vents blowing directly on a sensor, or even your pets tripping a motion sensor, you need to identify any and all of these potential triggers.
Often the best way to do this is to call a home security professional to evaluate your property and help you spot the areas where there might be a vulnerability to the sensors. They are the ones who deal with these systems professionally on a daily basis, so they are better trained to identify possible triggers than you might be.
Alarm systems are a great way to protect your family and your home from potential threats. However, they can be a challenge to get functioning just the way that you want them. Since no two household situations are alike, you may need some trial and error before you get the right design and setup for your home's system. These tips will help you do just that and minimize your chances of any false alarms that can be costly. Contact a security system company to learn more about residential security systems.
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