False alarms are not only an irritation, but they can lead to people ignoring alarms which could be dangerous in the event of a real activation.
Insurance approved installers carry out constant monitoring on the amount and reasons for false activations to help prevent them from happening. From looking at the reasons that alarms go off unintentionally it allows us find ways to avoid them.
Many false alarms occur by the homeowner forgetting their code or making a mistake on the panel. Learning to use your alarm properly is important in making sure it is working correctly and protecting your home. Don’t shy away from setting your alarm because you are scared of setting it off (a surprisingly common occurrence), simply ask your alarm engineer to walk you through the panel on your next service visit, or give them a call. Key fobs are also a great way to avoid forgetting codes. These are particularly useful in premises with a large number of people using the system. Simply swipe the key fob to set and unset the alarm.
The design of a system can also affect its reliability. Some sensors are not well suited to rooms which may quickly heat up during the day, for instance a conservatory or kitchen. These rooms are better suited to having dual technology sensors fit as infrared sensors detects changes in temperature to notice body heat. This will be thrown off by rooms that frequently and quickly fluctuate vastly in terms of temperature. Having a sensor which also tracks movement will help balance out the false triggers. Here is an informative blog all about this issue.
Not keeping the premises secure is another major factor is false alarms. Some buildings may have a window or vent left open that birds or other wildlife may be able to squeeze through. This movement will almost certainly trigger your alarm system so remember to check all windows and doors are secure before setting your alarm at the end of the day.
Too many false alarms in a set amount of time may lead to losing police monitoring contracts so it is important to do what you can to avoid them. Having your alarm system regularly serviced is also advised to make sure the system is working as it should be.
Keybury have written a large amount about these false alarms issues, find out what they have to say here.