How To Prevent Home Security False Alarms

False alarms are big concern for many homeowners who use home security systems.  False alarms are also a big concern for those looking to purchase a home security system.  Due to the high number of false alarms with home security systems in the past many jurisdictions around the country began charging false alarm fees.  Depending on where you live the fee could be the same each time or go up the more you have false alarms.

Luckily, home security systems have become a lot more advanced and false alarms have been cut down significantly.  Alarm System Report will explain the ways that you the homeowner can prevent home security false alarms and the ways your home security provider can help as well.

 

How You Can Prevent Home Security False Alarms #1

The easiest way to prevent false alarms is to make sure that you test your security system and sensors at least once a month.  Even if you use your security system daily the system won’t always tell you if there is a problem.  Many security systems manufactured and sold these days will alert homeowners of specific problems, but we all know that technology can be wrong sometimes as well. It’s best to talk to your home security provider and ask how you can test your system to prevent home security false alarms.

How You Can Prevent Home Security False Alarms #2

Whether you already own a home security system or are in the process of purchasing one there is another easy step to make sure you keep your false alarms to a minimum.  That step is making sure you’re using the correct types of alarm sensors for your home and lifestyle.  Motion sensors are a very cost effective way to arm the interior of a home, however, many of them have weight/size thresholds of either 40lbs or 60lbs.  This means your 100lb German Shepherd is going to trigger the alarm system without a hitch.

If you have large pets that roam freely in your home during the day or even small children who get up and wander in the middle of the night a motion sensors in “high traffic” areas are not ideal.  Although you may get away with it for some time you always run the risk of your alarm system triggering a false alarm from your pet or small child.  In this case it’s best to only use motion sensors in areas where there isn’t a lot of foot traffic or where your pets don’t go.  Otherwise stick with glass break sensors or non-motion devices to prevent home security false alarms.

How You Can Prevent Home Security False Alarms #3

Another easy way to prevent home security false alarms is to sign up for web/remote access service from your home security provider.  Most alarm companies are now offering some form of web/remote access that allows customers to receive instant alerts about system activity via text or email and allows the homeowner to control their system when away from the home.  This way you can disarm the system for your child if they forget their user code or you can be alerted if they trigger it falsely.  If your child, or spouse or other member of the household normally comes home at 3PM and the alarm suddenly goes off at 3PM it’s a pretty safe bet that it’s a false alarm, though not always the case.  Lastly, knowing your family’s schedule and receiving alerts about system activity can help prevent home security false alarms as good as any other method.

How Your Provider Can Prevent Home Security False Alarms #1:

The best advancement in home security systems is the implementation of “Verified Response” or a “Verification Call”.  When alarm systems were first installed they were connected directly to the local authorities.  This meant any time an alarm went off, for whatever reason, the police would show up.  Most times the system was triggered by accident or went off when it wasn’t supposed to.  Alarm companies took action and implemented at least one phone call or some other attempt to contact the homeowner before dispatching police.  This cuts down on home security false alarms significantly as it gives homeowners a chance to stop police dispatch if it is not needed.

How Your Provider Can Prevent Home Security False Alarms #2: 

Just as the homeowner can prevent home security false alarms by signing up for web/remote access home security providers can help prevent home security false alarms by offering web/remote access.  This gives the customer the ability to keep track of events at their home and be notified about them instantly.  With this advancement alarm customers can keep tabs on their home and can often sniff out false alarms before they occur.

How Your Provider Can Prevent Home Security False Alarms #3

Home security providers can prevent home security false alarms by providing the latest home security equipment to its customers.  Newer alarm systems have greatly reduced the amount of false alarms simply by providing higher quality equipment.  Wireless alarm systems are the best at cutting down false alarms or eliminating them completely.  Using old or outdated equipment can cause false alarms as well as many other issues.

 

In the end taking a few simple steps and asking the right questions to your current or potential home security provider can put your mind at ease when thinking about the possibility of home security false alarms.  Like we said before many alarm companies have taken measures to cut false alarms significantly.  On average most homeowners will have one or less false alarms each year, meaning many alarm customers won’t ever have one. This is good news for anyone who currently owns or is looking to purchase a home security system.