Preventing Alarm Sensor Failures

This blog with updated on January 31, 2020 with new product information.

I’ve posted before that no alarm system—or alarm company, for that matter—is perfect. People make mistakes and devices malfunction, but it’s obviously better if the situation is found and fixed before it really matters. Unfortunately, when it comes to home security, you often don’t even know there’s a problem until it’s too late. ADT Security recently had another miss, this time at a San Antonio home where the alarm system appeared to be working just fine.

"Charles Fialkowski says he was at the store when he got a call from ADT Security saying his alarm siren was malfunctioning. When he got home he found it wasn't just the alarm that was not working right. 'They kicked the door, ripped the frame to pieces. You know, ripped the screws out,' says Fialkowski."

Breaking a door is not unusual in today’s burglaries. In fact, intruders target the front door just about one-third of the time, making it the most common entry point for a break-in. It's possible the burglar was watching and waiting for Fialkowski to leave his home.

However, what is unusual is that when the door was kicked in, no signal was received. A siren malfunction is extremely rare but even so, this story shows just how vulnerable any alarm system can be without Crash and Smash protection.

While monthly testing is standard alarm industry advice and it’s even written into most monitoring agreements, few homeowners test their system in such a disciplined manner. The best, advanced systems that rely on cellular monitoring are auto-tested every day and will report any communication failure immediately. We know because that is the way Alarm.com technology works—and Alarm.com is the cellular foundation of every Frontpoint alarm system.

If you don’t have cellular monitoring, you should regularly test your security system to ensure the system is functioning properly.

Year-over-year advances in technology significantly improve security technology. If your sensors or cameras are several years old, it may be time to consider an upgrade. Regardless of the age of your equipment, you should conduct regular maintenance checks. Clean your camera lenses and sensors so they are dust-free, ensure camera views aren’t blocked, and look for any signs of corrosion around wires.

Another important maintenance step is to check for system updates. Regular updates add new features and enhance your security and privacy. Many systems will update automatically and others will provide notice. Always check that you are using the most current system with proper bandwidth and network requirements.

Severe storms can cause power failures that negatively impact your home security—especially if the storm occurs when you aren’t at home. That is why Frontpoint’s security system uses wireless battery-powered devices and cellular monitoring. Frontpoint’s Door/Window Sensors, Glass Break Sensors, Motion Sensors, Flood Sensors, Carbon Monoxide Sensors, Smoke and Heat Sensors, and even the Smart Door Lock all run on battery power.

Read our blog: Do Security Systems Work If the Power Goes Out? (Teaser: the answer is “yes!”)

Frontpoint keeps homes safe whether families are there or not. We've been revolutionizing the home security industry for over a decade. And we're just getting started. To shop DIY home security systems, check out our Security Packages. If you have questions or would like to discuss a quote, contact us at 1-877-602-5276.