What are the most common false alarm triggers?

The most common false alarm triggers on home security systems and those on commercial properties tend to come down to a very small number of recurring issues. Namely mistakes or incorrect usage by the owners or technical ones in the way that the system has been installed and maintained. 

What causes security alarm system false alarms and how do I stop them?

False alarms are an irritation that can cause major disruption and may actually cost you money if emergency services are called to your location. They prevent those services from attending real emergencies and are not popular among the first responders who show up to assist you for no reason. It can also be excruciatingly embarrassing, to say the least. 

To minimise the risk of false alarms, we put our heads together here at Smart Security and came up with a list of the most common causes of false alarms and how to prevent them.

1) Human error

By far and away the most common cause of false alarms being triggered on home security systems is simple human error. It’s all too easy to forget that you set the alarm and open a door or walk past a sensor without thinking and set it off. This is especially true when the system is new to us, and we have yet to adjust to the fact that it is there. 

Even when the homeowners become accustomed to the system, the same cannot be said of other individuals who might enter the property and be unaware of how to control it. For example:

• Young children and their friends
• Friends or family that come to visit or stay
• Babysitters, dog-minders, or house-sitters
• Cleaners and maintenance staff=

Things you can do to prevent this issue:

• Leave specific instructions for any trusted individual that will be in control of the security system
• Teach children about the areas they cannot access once the system is live. Show older children how to disable the alarm if they are sure it was triggered accidentally. 
• Install a state-of-the-art home security system that you can monitor and control remotely. If an alarm is triggered, you will be able to assess the situation from any location and disable it if necessary. You can then check in with your guests or staff and cancel the automatic response if one is associated with your system. 

2) Inappropriate or poorly installed security system

If your high-tech, sensitive security system is installed by individuals who do not have the requisite experience and knowledge to do so, then trouble often follows. 

One of the very first things we train our security technicians to do here at Smart Security is to carefully and accurately assess the situation and highlight any potential issues and mistakes before they begin. Some of the things they are trained to consider include:

• Smoke detectors 

If these are placed too close to a source of heat like a stove or fireplace then they are almost guaranteed to be triggered falsely. This also applies to those situated too close to bathrooms, where they might be activated by excessive steam.

• Low-quality wiring and electrical components

Especially prevalent among older, hard-wired systems, short circuits or wires that degrade and become loose or damp can cause untold chaos. They will constantly trigger the alarm falsely and usually offer no visual clues as to why. 

• No allowance for pets 

If a home security system is installed without giving consideration to the household pets then it can be a recipe for constant false alarms. Motion detectors can easily spot even the slightest movement and will automatically trigger a response. 

• Incorrectly placed motion sensors

If your motion sensors are installed on loose doors or windows that move when the wind blows, the alarm will surely sound every time the weather is on the wild side. Sensors that are placed too close to heating or cooling vents can also cause false triggers.

Things you can do to prevent these issues:

The bottom line here really comes down to this; if you cut costs or do not do enough research when choosing your security providers/installers, you run the risk of getting a service that is not nearly as professional as it should be. This is also true if you purchase a pre-packaged security solution and choose to install it yourself. 

When it comes to the causes of false alarms and how to prevent them, the solution is to engage the services of high-quality experts like Smart Security and let them do the job correctly from the start using the best materials and equipment. In the long run, it will save you a lot of aggravation, embarrassment, and potential expense. 

3) Insufficient maintenance on outdated or broken security equipment

Most security system equipment requires very little maintenance, but that amount is not zero. Things like replacing batteries and cleaning dust from sensitive areas should be completed regularly to keep your system running smoothly as intended. It helps to start with a quality product and Smart Security insists that the products and equipment used are second to none.

Contact us

If you need the advice or services of professional, expert alarm security systems specialists in Perth that you can trust with your security then look no further. Smart Security has all the experience and knowledge you could ever need when it comes to choosing the right security system. 

So, if you’ve been wondering ‘What causes security alarm system false alarms and how do I stop them?’, we hope that this article has gone some way towards explaining. Please get in touch with any questions and we will be only too happy to help.