How to cut down on motion sensor false alarms in your Lansing home
Motion sensors are critical components in a full-featured home security strategy, as they’ll tell you if dubious activity is going on at your house. Sadly, they’re also vulnerable to false alarms, causing Lansing homeowners to lose sleep. If you’re looking for solutions, check out our tips on minimizing motion sensor false alarms.
What triggers motion detector false alarms?
Most residential motion detectors utilize passive infrared (PIR) technology to detect activity. They monitor shifts in infrared radiation within their detection zone and can recognize when someone is in motion by their heat signature. False alarms are often caused by:
- Pets leaping on countertops or furniture
- Intense sunlight coming through a window
- A variety of heat sources, such as air ducts and fireplaces
- Sudden humidity or temperature fluctuations, which cause components to be hypersensitive or non-reactive
Microwave motion sensors are an additional common option that detects motion by constantly emitting and evaluating electromagnetic waves. These active motion sensors spot movement through alterations in the reflected signal. Any unforseen movement, like curtains moving when the HVAC fan kicks on, can set off an alarm.
Ideas for limiting motion sensor false alarms at your Lansing home
In addition to interrupted sleep, motion sensor false alarms are increasingly problematic as they can desensitize you to real threats. Moreover, frequent false alarms may become an annoyance for first responders and may affect response times in the future. Thankfully, you can help prevent them by adhering to these recommendations:
- Check the sensitivity levels of your sensors and modify to your animal’s size and behavior.
- Even when you have pet-friendly motion detectors, it’s wise not to direct them at high-activity spots like food bowls.
- Avoid pointing motion sensors at windows that receive bright sunlight.
- Ensure rooms are sufficiently insulated to help prevent temperature shifts.
- Periodically dust and clean equipment to ensure proper function.
- Inspect batteries and change as needed. Some motion detectors will even tell you when batteries are getting low.
- Consider a professional installation to ensure optimal placement.
You may also choose dual-technology devices that employ both passive and active sensors to sense activity, resulting in improved accuracy.
How should you utilize motion sensors in your Lansing smart home?
Installing motion sensors in a new smart home is a excellent way to improve your convenience and security. You’ll have the opportunity to do the following:
- Get instant alerts on your mobile device any time movement is detected. You might program them to notify you when your little ones come home from school.
- Configure interior cameras to record any time a motion sensor is tripped.
- Alter lighting or temperature settings in accordance with your home’s occupancy. This feature can help reduce utility bills.
Top-tier smart home devices, like those installed by Vivint, continue to employ artificial intelligence (AI) to more accurately detect threats and reduce false alarms.
Create your Vivint smart home with dependable motion sensors
Get leading motion sensors in Lansing from Vivint when you customize your comprehensive smart home. Our sensors are pet-sensitive and let you initiate various automation actions. You’ll also enjoy a five-year battery life and automatic smartphone notifications. Call (517) 760-8950 today to learn more.