How to reduce motion sensor false alarms in your Los Angeles home
Motion sensors are crucial aspects in a multi-layered home security strategy, as they’ll tell you if dubious activity is going on at your house. Sadly, they’re also prone to false alarms, causing Los Angeles homeowners to lose sleep. If you’re searching for solutions, review our tips on reducing motion sensor false alarms.
What initiates motion detector false alarms?
The bulk of residential motion detectors utilize passive infrared (PIR) technology to detect movement. They sense changes in infrared radiation in their coverage zone and can tell when something is moving by its heat signature. False alarms are often initiated by:
- Pets climbing on furniture or counters
- Bright sunlight streaming through a window
- Various heat sources, like fireplaces and ducts
- Rapid temperature or humidity fluctuations, which cause components to be too sensitive or non-reactive
Microwave motion sensors are another frequently used option that discovers movement by continually broadcasting and evaluating electromagnetic waves. Called active motion detectors, they spot movement through alterations in the returning signal. Any unexpected movement, like curtains moving when the HVAC fan kicks on, can trigger an alarm.
Tips for decreasing motion sensor false alarms at your Los Angeles home
Beyond losing sleep, motion sensor false alarms can be even more troublesome as they can numb you to real risks. Additionally, frequent false alarms may become a frustration for emergency providers and may influence future response times. Luckily, you can help circumvent them by implementing these suggestions:
- Check the sensitivity levels of your equipment and adjust to your animal’s size and behavior.
- Even if you have pet-friendly motion sensors, it’s smart not to point them at high-traffic spots like feeding stations.
- Avoid aiming motion sensors at windows receiving heavy sunlight.
- Make sure rooms are sufficiently insulated to help prevent drastic temperature changes.
- Frequently dust and clean devices to keep sensors working properly.
- Inspect batteries and swap out as needed. Certain motion detectors will even let you know when batteries are getting low.
- Let a pro do the installation to ensure correct positioning.
You might also invest in dual-technology devices that utilize both passive and active sensors to detect activity, leading to a higher degree of accuracy.
How should you utilize motion sensors in your Los Angeles smart home?
Incorporating motion sensor into a modern smart home is a excellent way to boost your safety and convenience. You’ll have the ability to do the following:
- Obtain immediate notifications on your cell phone when activity is detected. You might also utilize them to notify you when your children get home from school.
- Configure interior cameras to record when a motion sensor triggers.
- Adjust lighting or temperature levels in accordance with your home’s occupancy. This capability can help lower energy expenses.
Top-tier smart home devices, like the models installed by Vivint, continue to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to better recognize actual threats and minimize false alarms.
Design your Vivint smart home with advanced motion sensors
Get the top motion sensors in Los Angeles from Vivint when you customize your comprehensive smart home. Our tools are pet-friendly and permit you to configure numerous home automation actions. You’ll also appreciate the five-year battery and instant cell phone notifications. Contact (310) 861-9194 today to get started.