It’s not often you make a purchase with the hopes you’ll never need to use it. But with home security systems, families buy the device in hopes that it’s presence and technology will prevent any tragedies. It’s true that most burglars are scared off by alarms and generally look for properties without this feature. Yet these systems are often triggered by accident, causing false alarms and panic amongst homeowners. This is a huge problem for many reasons. The incident can cause stress for anyone in the residence, especially kids and pets. Because of ADT’s fast response time, fire, police and other emergency personnel can arrive very quickly to the house, straining city resources. In some municipalities, fines are issued to those who call upon these services without a real requirement. In fact, the city of Edmonton receives so many false reports that they’re considering charging every alarm owner a yearly fee. For repeat offenders, the authorities may even refuse to attend to alarms. Neighbours might begin to ignore the alert, assuming it’s another false incident. It’s important that alarm owners ensure they prevent false alarms on their DIY home security device.
Training: The vast majority of false alarms occur when a user is unsure of how to operate the system. If you’re not comfortable with it, it’s easy to forget a password, press the wrong button or activate the system incorrectly. If every adult in the household understands how to use the alarm and handle common errors, like keying in the wrong digits, it will prevent a large amount of trouble. The worst thing a person can do is to accidentally set off an alarm and just wait for the authorities to arrive. After all, many of these resources are already strained and are likely needed elsewhere.
Battery: If there is a power outage situation and electricity and wi-fi is unavailable for a significant period, a secondary battery will continue to allow the system to remain operational. However, the homeowner should ensure that these batteries are operational and not empty of charge. Luckily, many devices will indicate a warning so it’s simple for the operator. If a battery is left dead, a false alarm could occur.
Motion Sensors: In order to best protect a property, motion sensors can be very sensitive. Ensure that any doors or windows are secure so they cannot open or break without warning. Should this happen, a family may not even realize the error right away. This is also applicable for pets. Though most alarms are pet-approved, a curious pet who pushes open a lash could cause a hassle. Strong storms can also damage window and door frames. Securing these sections of the home not only helps prevent unnecessary alarms but as a bonus it also helps prevent the escape of air, which can lower a heating and cooling bill.
Communicate: Ensure you have the phone number of the alarm company handy. If you have any concerns or questions at any time, they’re available to help. Stumbling around to find their number while an alarm is blaring is not a great scenario.
For more information on the perfect alarm for your home call 1-844-898-8349.
