Most Common Causes Of An Alarm System False Alarm

The words “false alarm” can bring on a bevy of different emotions depending on the particular situation in which they are used. If someone claims to have won the lottery, then says “false alarm!”, there would probably be a let down in the room. But if someone were to say, “I think I broke my leg…oh, wait, false alarm!” then many would breath a sigh of relief. The reaction to an alarm system false alarm can also bring on a few different emotions including anger or fear. However, if you think about the main causes of an home alarm system false alarm and how to prevent them you won’t have to worry. You may also find out how to nip an alarm system false alarm in the bud if one does occur! So, let’s take a look at some of the main causes of an alarm system false alarm.

Faulty Alarm System Wiring

If you have a hard wired alarm system you may find that a false alarm can be caused by faulty or rotting wires. This is especially true if you have had your alarm system for a long time. Wires can corrode or malfunction over time and cause the alarm system to go off when it shouldn’t. You can counteract this by checking your alarm system once or twice a year, or have your alarm system company come out to check the system on a regular basis. Keeping an eye on things is the easiest way to prevent a false alarm with a hard wired alarm system.

Forgetting To Disarm Your Alarm System

This is a lot more common for folks who haven’t had their home alarm system installed for very long. If you’re not used to coming home and disarming your system regularly it’s possible you could forget. Or maybe you just had a rough day and disarming your alarm system was the last think you’d think about. Whatever the reason may be forgetting to disarm the alarm system is the main cause for alarm system false alarms.

Not Turning Off Motion Sensors

There are a few different settings that you can alter on your home alarm system. With a wireless alarm system you can even arm and disarm alarm sensors individually. If you normally leave your downstairs motion sensors on at night or something similar then you may forget from time to time, or wander aimlessly in front of the motion sensor while searching for a late night snack. Triggering your own alarm system while inside the house is very possible, and does happen. This is another common cause of an alarm system false alarm.

How Can You Prevent Alarm System False Alarms?

Despite what many believe, alarm system false alarms are very easy to deter. All it takes is a little awareness and some quick action if it does happen. If you make sure to disarm your alarm system before you come home, whether it’s with your smartphone or from your keypad, getting into this routine will help you reduce your risk of having a false alarm. If the alarm does go off accidentally or is trigged by accident there is one thing you can do. When your alarm system goes off the monitoring station will call you to “verify” the alarm with you. In essence this is your last chance to tell the monitoring station that police are not needed. When the monitoring station calls you can simply pick up the phone, give them your predetermined password, and tell them not to send police. The monitoring station should give you the OK and let you be on your way. In essence, a false alarm only really occurs if the police show up unnecessarily. Otherwise you are good to go!

In the end alarm system false alarms are not something you should lose sleep over. They are fairly uncommon these days with the new wireless alarm systems and cellular alarm system monitoring as well as the “verification call”. Newer systems tend to malfunction less and there are more safeguards in place to make sure false alarms don’t occur too much. So, just remember to stay diligent and remember that you’ll be called if the alarm goes off and you’ll be all set!

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