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System glitches and false alarms can be frustrating, and even more concerning, may prevent your home’s security from doing its job effectively. Fortunately, most troubles, from false alarms to dead batteries, are easy to fix. Check out our tips for troubleshooting your home alarm system in Rochester. We’ll help keep your family members safe and your system operating as it should.

Test Your Home Security System In Rochester

One great way to troubleshoot your property’s security is to test it yourself! The latest systems allow you to put them in test mode to keep you from initiating an emergency response from monitoring agents. Once in test mode, follow these steps:

• Activate your system as you typically would when you head out.
• Open a window or door that uses a contact sensor, or test other devices. Shut the window or door once you’re done so it doesn’t trip the alarm when you get out of test mode.
• Let the alarm go off for 60 seconds to ensure communications with the security provider and to create an entry in the alarm system log.
• Continue testing sensors as you wish
• Inspect the system activity log to validate that everything’s working.

No need to worry, monitoring professionals will be aware that your system is undergoing a test. Just make sure to switch out of test mode when you’re done. It’s smart to test once a month or whenever you make changes to your home’s phone or internet service.

Evaluate The Positioning And Condition Of Motion Sensors

Although an crucial aspect of your alarm system, motion sensors are well known for false alarms. You can help prevent them with some easy troubleshooting.

• Do a physical inspection. Are there items that could shift within the sensor’s detection area, like drapery caught in a breeze?
• Is the sensor covered in dust? Grime, dirt, and cobwebs can cause poor performance. Make sure the face is clean.
• Does the motion detector have pet immunity you can activate? Some can be configured to disregard pets up to 100 pounds.
• When was the battery last replaced? A low battery can affect performance or lead to false alarms.
• Is a heat source impacting the sensor? Excessive heat from direct sun or a fireplace can cause an alarm.

Keep Batteries On Hand And Look Out For Low Battery Signals

One helpful benefit of the latest home security systems is that they’ll let you know when batteries are getting low. If your system is equipped with a control panel or app, you’ll typically find notifications there. Depending on your system, you could hear an occasional beep when batteries are running out. 

Contact sensors, smoke detectors, motion sensors, and other wireless devices have batteries that should be replaced every 1 to 2 years. It’s a good idea to keep batteries ready and set a replacement schedule. Some systems also come with a backup battery for the central control panel. This battery helps keep your system running if you have a power outage and should recharge once the electricity is working again. If it doesn’t recharge, you should replace it.

Troubleshooting Is Easy With ADT Home Security In Rochester 

As the foremost name in home security, ADT builds systems that supply unrivaled protection and functionality. Getting into test mode is easy through the ADT+ app or MyADT.com, and you’ll always receive alerts when a battery is low. Reach out to Secure24 Alarm Systems, an authorized ADT dealer, to learn more and design a system ideal for your Rochester home and family. Place a call to (585) 310-4555 or submit our form today!