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Home Security Systems

False Alarm Prevention

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By: Gilbert Cho
July 28, 2015
19 comments

False Alarm Prevention

False alarms, the bane of the home security industry: an annoyance for the companies to handle, a nightmare for homeowners and a thorn in the side of emergency responders. Safe to say, no one likes false alarms.

Thankfully, most false alarms are caused by human error, which means they’re easily fixed. But pinpointing the exact issue that’s causing the false alarm can be difficult, which is why we’re here to help.

Here are a few ways to prevent the most common causes of security system false alarms.

Memorize your codes

The most common cause of false alarms is when a user simply enters the wrong user code. Choose a code that you can easily remember, but would be difficult for an intruder to figure out (please don’t use 1-1-1-1).

Make sure doors and windows are properly closed

Be mindful of any doors and windows that have sensors on them. It can be easy to think you’ve closed them, when they’re still actually cracked open, meaning your Door and Window Sensors won’t be lined up correctly.

Be mindful of sensor placement

Careful placement of your security sensors is crucial to preventing false alarms. You should avoid pointing Motion Sensors towards heating vents and windows. Also, if you have any pets over 40 pounds, you should not place Motions Sensors in areas frequented by those pets.

Alert guests to your home security system

Let your visitors know that you have a home security system. Babysitters and cleaners may need to come by when you aren’t home; so let them know how to use your system to avoid setting off a false alarm.

Contact your home security provider

If you think your false alarm is a result of something going wrong with your system, or if you just need assistance, contact your security system provider. They’ll be able to troubleshoot and walk you through any issues to find a quick resolution.

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Comments
Jan Trcka
August 13, 2015
I had two false alarms caused by motion sensors falling of the wall. Self adhesive tape is a bad idea for them. Now I have them screwed to the wall. This experience cost me$100 paid to police.
Reply
William Napier
August 18, 2015
I've had a couple of triggered alarms, coming downstairs before disarming (forgot). no issues as long as the code is entered promptly. Had a pending false alarm just the other day, after I had triggered the alarm and disarmed. I think I opened the garage door before the disarm signal could process. The Frontpoint monitors promptly attempted to contact me, but my phone was on mute. Frontpoint online App sent a text message to my smartphone, which I spotted, and alerted me of a pending alarm. I was able to call FrontPoint and cancel before The police were alerted. I highly recommend downloading the FrontPoint smart phone App and configuring to send your smartphone text messages of activities. this is very customizable and user friendly. saved me the cost of a full false alarm. And in the event of a false or actual alarm I am notified through multiple sources.
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Ken Pell
August 14, 2015
I called in the other day to update my payment info and the automated system took my phone number for a customer service call back because of high volume at the time. I did not receive that customer service call back.
Reply
Gilbert Cho
August 14, 2015
I'm very sorry to hear that Ken! I'm going to let our Support Team know immediately, and if they haven't contacted you yet, to reach out to you. Again, I'm sorry that you didn't get a callback, I apologize on Frontpoint's behalf.
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Jeanette
August 18, 2015
I had the same thing happen just this week-end (Saturday).
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Bob Hobbs
August 14, 2015
My main problem was finding a place to put the door sensors so that the two parts lined up. The edges of my doors are designed such that the two sensors can't be placed in alignment . So I had to order more double stick tape and add three layers to the sensor that is on the door itself. This raised that sensor about half an inch so it could then be aligned with the one on the door jam. Looks weird but it works. Otherwise, the sensor registers the door as not closed. I had several false alarms before I figured out a solution.
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Bob Koenig
August 18, 2015
I had the same problem with my sensors lining up on French doors. I went to the hardware and bought aluminum flat stock the thickness needed to make them align correctly. I traced out the base of the sensor, then cut to dimension finalizing the edges on a grinder. I super glued the metal cutout to my metal doors then attached the sticky back of the sensor to my hand made plate. It looks attractive and blends right in. I tried double tape also and it did not work well at all. My Front point system works very well, no issues
Reply
Anton
August 16, 2015
I have had sensors on "high use" doors fall off and cause the alarm to trigger. I received more adhesive tape from Frontpoint, however, the real solution was to use some crazy clue and simply apply it around the sensors.
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Robert Stundtner
August 17, 2015
I too had a motion sector fall off the wall and triggered a great deal of angst because we were 5 hrs drive away at the time. I've screwed mine to the wall. I've also had two detector failures recently due to batteries. So much for the 3-4 years promised. I'm putting all of my doctors on the same replacement schedule as my similar devices - annually with the clock resets.
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Tony
August 17, 2015
We recently had two false alarms that were caused by our 29-pound dog. We love Frontpoint, but the 40-pound pet limit for motion sensors has definitely not proven true in our case.
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Pat
August 17, 2015
I also had a sensor fall off the wall when the sticky tape failed. Luckily the sensor was not turned on at the time. But, it did startle me! I've not been a customer for a full year yet. Is this going to continue happening? Seems like you need a fix for the tape, especially for sensors in corners where they're attached to two walls on an angle.
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Brad Russell
August 17, 2015
Yes, the self adhesive is a horrible idea! Police fees twice now for them falling off the wall.
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Nate
August 18, 2015
Love the idea, but it does not do the job and casues problems. I am sure Frontpoint will come up with a better solution. Not acceptable for price.
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Phyllis Hanvey
August 18, 2015
Another false alarm ? Frontpoint, I'll be expecting you to pay the fee !!
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percy pacia
August 18, 2015
we experienced a false alarm very recently caused by our 9 pound dog. yes, that's just a 9 pound dog! to complicate the situation further, we were out of town, and so i had to ask a neighbor to check around my house before calling off the alarm. i not sure if putting the alarm on a "stay mode" would prevent this from ever happening again.
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Charles Scott Jr
August 18, 2015
I've had a few false alarms lately due to excessive heat warnings here in Arizona. Everytime the front door was opened for @ 3-5 minutes a detector would alarm. Once the detector was detected I've since relocated it which appears to be the solution. I've also made it a habit to limit using the front door during the excessive heat warnings here in Arizona and use another entryway whenever possible.
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Matt
August 18, 2015
I've had a few false alarms now due to my kids art work blowing in breeze created by the AC vent. Can't place the sensor on any other wall as I need to be mindful of windows too. Can't win them all I guess.
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Robert Zirpolo
August 19, 2015
I've had your system for a year.I never read your monthly emails until tonight.I read some of the blogs and was blown away over people having sensors fall off the corner of the wall because today I had one fall off.What a coincidence.I put it back and it fell off again.I have some two sided tape I used and it's good.What else can be used instead of the tape?
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Ella
September 5, 2015
My motion sensor fail of the wall. I tried to put it back using the two sided tape and it fail off again. My fire sensor detector fail of the wall and triggered my alarm system resulting in the police and the fire department coming out. The tape is not working. Front point needs to come up with a better way to keep these things on the wall.
Reply
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