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Importance Of Windows And Door Home Security Sensor

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By: Editor
February 21, 2014

Importance Of Windows And Door Home Security Sensor

The Door Window Sensor is a staple of home security systems, far and away the most commonly used of all security sensors. It’s easy to see why, stick the two pieces on a door or window and you’re done. It embodies what a good security system should be: simple and effective.

However, there’s much more to the Door Window Sensor than what you may think.

Most users place Door Window Sensors in the traditional spots mentioned above, and that’s perfectly fine. It’s the most effective way to use them. But we’ve heard stories of customers using them NOT as intended and had great results in making their lives easier.

Here are some of the unique ways you can use the Door Window Sensor.

  1. Keep the window open – even when armed. One of our customers, Stan P., shared this idea with us on Facebook:

    “I post a second magnet along the window sill at just enough space to let in fresh air when we want to! That way, the system can be armed either ‘completely closed’, or ‘opened windowed’ and work effectively! It works perfectly every time and does not at all compromise our protection!”

    It’s the perfect way to get some fresh air, while keeping your system armed. If someone tries to open it any further, the alarm will still go off!

  2. Backup doorbell. Your doorbell hasn't worked for weeks and it’s too expensive to fix. Luckily, you have a Door Window Sensor. Anytime anyone goes through the front door, your security system will chime. Even better, get a notification on your phone! If you have a screen, glass or another type of exterior door, consider putting the Door Window Sensor there. You may not hear a guest knocking, but you’ll hear the chime and notification!
  3. Stuff you don’t want moved. Are you really particular about where your furniture sits? Get the sneaky suspicion that your roommate is moving your stuff when you’re not around? Place a Door Window Sensor on the leg of your furniture or TV and now you’ll know.
  4. Keep people out. Parents with nosy children, adults with nosy roommates, listen up. Door Window Sensors not only keep people out of your home, but can keep them from going through stuff IN your home. Place one on a liquor cabinet, safe, closet, and anything else. You’ll know every time someone tries to snoop through your things.
  5. Mail notification. Another idea from Facebook, Hank E. shared:

    “I put the garage door sensor on my mailbox, so I can be alerted when the mail arrives!”

    Hank may have used a Garage Door Sensor, but we see no reason why a Door Window Sensor wouldn't work just as well. Know exactly when the mail arrives each day!

  6. Guard the shed. In addition to placing Door Window Sensors on the doors to your home, put one on the outdoor shed if you have one and if it’s within range of your Control Panel. The range can be checked upon activation or on your online account. Sheds often contain valuable equipment, but the biggest concern is that the tools can be used to break into your home.

The Door Window Sensor is easy to use. It’s so easy that we ignore other ways we can use it. Try out some of these ideas and you’ll see how such a small change can make a substantial impact.

Do you use your Door Window Sensor in a unique way? Share your creativity with us in the comments below!

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Comments
Rick Pula
February 22, 2014
I've never heard my control panel chime. Is there a setting to do that?
Peter M. Rogers
February 26, 2014
Rick - Yes, there is, and thanks for asking. When you are at the control panel, you can follow these steps to turn the chimes on. 1. Press the down arrow three times, until you see “Chimes Off” 2. Press the “OK” button 3. Press the Up arrow one time to see “Chime On” 4. Press the OK button to save. Once you have completed these steps, you will see a black bell icon on the control panel screen. Please let us know if you have any questions and thanks again!
Rick Pula
February 22, 2014
I've never heard my control panel chime. Is there a setting to do that?
Jason
July 27, 2014
Does frontpoint offer anything that could be used as a doorbell?? I am going to try to rig up an entry sensor into a push button that separates them so I can be alerted by text message when someone is at my door.
Jamie Botzer
July 30, 2014
Hi Jason, great question. Unfortunately, FrontPoint does not have any equipment that can be used as a doorbell. We’re always on the lookout for new equipment and features for our customers, so I’ll share your inquiry with our Product Development team. Thanks for asking!
joan hergert
August 19, 2014
do you have anything like a med alert, something that would be with me in the basement, where i can't reach the control box
Gilbert Cho
August 20, 2014
Hi Joan, it sounds like you’re talking about the Panic Pendant, a handy little device that you can carry around or wear around your neck. Whenever you’re in need of immediate assistance – like a medical emergency – you can just press the button to call for help. You can find more details about the Panic Pendant here: http://www.frontpointsecurity.com/equipment/controls/panic-pendant#tab1 Please let us know if you any further questions, or if you’d like Support Specialist reach out to discuss anything. Thanks!
joan hergert
August 19, 2014
do you have anything like a med alert, something that would be with me in the basement, where i can't reach the control box
Gilbert Cho
August 20, 2014
Hi Joan, it sounds like you’re talking about the Panic Pendant, a handy little device that you can carry around or wear around your neck. Whenever you’re in need of immediate assistance – like a medical emergency – you can just press the button to call for help. You can find more details about the Panic Pendant here: http://www.frontpointsecurity.com/equipment/controls/panic-pendant#tab1 Please let us know if you any further questions, or if you’d like Support Specialist reach out to discuss anything. Thanks!
Vern
September 26, 2014
Hello, I have my Frontpoint system installed at my farm house. There is a well pump for water pressure to the house. When the pressure is low the pump comes on for 30 to 40 seconds, then shuts down again. I would love to have a sensor that would give me an alert when my system is armed, I'm away from home, and the well pump comes on. If that alert occurs more than once, that is a sign that water is running and needs to be turned off. Maybe I forgot to turn off the garden hose, or the toilet tank did not fill properly. There is a pressure switch on the water system, so there is a set of contacts that could be used to activate a sensor. Or, if you have a sensor that could be strapped to the water pipe in the basement, when the pump runs it makes a distinctive sound on the pipe. I think I am not alone with regard to this need for a sensor of this type, to alert in case the well pump is running unexpectedly. Could be a useful alert on sump pumps too. I would purchase 2 of them if you have a sensor that can serve this purpose. Thanks, Vern
Jamie Botzer
September 26, 2014
Hi Vern, unfortunately we don't offer a product that meets your specific need. I will share your feedback, though, and should this product become available, we'll be sure to let you know here on the blog.
Vern
September 29, 2014
Jamie, Thanks for the quick reply. I have another question, do you offer an Illumination sensor? Or, can the Everspring model ST815-2 Illumination sensor with Z-wave technology work with my Front point system? Thanks, Vern
Jamie Botzer
September 30, 2014
Great question, Vern! It's not on our supported list right now, but I’ll look into it for you. Stay tuned!
Vern
September 29, 2014
Jamie, Thanks for the quick reply. I have another question, do you offer an Illumination sensor? Or, can the Everspring model ST815-2 Illumination sensor with Z-wave technology work with my Front point system? Thanks, Vern
edward Alonzo
January 27, 2015
Hello I jsut tryed sending a comment here but it never got poasted. my question was how tough are the scencers to remove when they need moving? I don't want to put them up if they will take paint off dor frames or doors. thanks.
Gilbert Cho
January 28, 2015
Hi Edward, no worries, it appears you asked this on a different post. Here's the response: As long as you take your time and are careful, your wall paint should be safe. The best way to avoid damage to your walls while removing our sensors is to use dental floss or a butter knife. Gently work the floss or knife between the tape and wall to separate them. Hope this helps. Glad to have you on board with Frontpoint, please let me or anyone else you speak to know if there’s anything we can do to help!
edward Alonzo
January 28, 2015
thank you so much. I'm not sure what poast I put this on. whoops! my system will be here tomorrow. I really hope its usable for me. David my frontPoint rep was really a nice guy.
Gilbert Cho
January 28, 2015
You're very welcome! I hope you find it to your liking as well. We'll be here if you need any help. P.S. I'll let David know!
edward Alonzo
January 29, 2015
Hey there! system got here today just waiting for a sighted helper to come assist me on putting it up. Upon seeing the door and window censers, it appears i may have a small problem with them, I am totally blind, so wasn't able to see how they actually worked visually. when I saw them, i see that both my front as well as back door are both recessed in their frames. I have called fp, and they are sending me some thicker sticky tape. it looks like the space from the door to the actual molding is around an inch and a half. I do plan on moving this system, so the recessed door censer isn't an option as I am not allowed to drill into the door or door frame. Heres hoping it gets worked out as I am eager awaiting the activation of this new system.
Gilbert Cho
January 29, 2015
Hi again Edward! I'm hoping it works out for you too. I believe adding some extra tape should work, many of our customers rather not drill holes into their door frame, so this is a fairly common solution.
edward Alonzo
January 31, 2015
Hey everyone back again. I found some thicker tape in my bag along with my security system. I don't know how thick the tape that is being sent to me is this same type but I took 2 pieces put them together and turned the chimes on on my control panel, so I'd know when the field was broken. sadly its still to far from the door to the trim. so doesn't look like this particular system is going to work for me. I hate to have to return it but I do plan to be moving, so lets hope I can order another one meanwhile, does anyone else have any ideas I tried repositioning the 2 pieces but its just to far apart. the problem again for those of you that aren't aware, is that the door, and molding/trim where the other part would go, are just to far away from each other to close the field. any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I'm sure I'm not the only one with this problem. the door is just to far inside the frame. perhaps some of you might have some ideas. keeping in mind drilling isn't an opsion as I will be moving soon. thanks once again.
Nina Easton
February 18, 2015
If you put a door/window sensor on your outside shed door, won't the heat/humidity ruin the sensor? Also, if I install the garage door sensor to notify me if I forget to close my garage door, how does that work? If I have a garage sensor, doesn't that also mean when I come home and open the garage door that I only have 30 seconds to park the car, get out, unlock the door and get inside to disarm the system or the alarm will go off? If so, then I'm thinking the only answer to that is to disarm by phone. But if everyone in the house doesn't have a smart phone to disarm, then not sure the garage sensor would be the right choice. But would love to purchase sensor for garage. Please let me know.
Reliable Chimes Inc ®
April 24, 2015
Interesting post....!! Thanks for sharing it.
Elmer Colón
December 27, 2015
Hi. Can the window sensors be install using a screw instead of using the glue pads?
Valerie Saponara
December 28, 2015
Elmer, using the adhesive we give you is the method we most recommend, however you can screw these sensors into place if you would like to. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Jade Brunet
August 26, 2016
Thank you for educating me on the benefits of a door window sensor. It is interesting to find that these sensors can also be used for other purposes. It would also be a good idea to install a home security system for enhanced safety.
Mark David
September 18, 2016
Thank for sharing knowledge on door window sensor, I have understand it very well and its useful information.
Brenda
October 25, 2016
I want to make sure I am setting my alarm correctly when I leave the house. I hit the motion button and then exit house. I hate when I come home that the alarm goes off when I re-enter. It is ear piercing. I think I am not arming the system correctly when I leave. Can you advise? Thanks!
Katie Rynex
November 11, 2016
Brenda, thank you for reaching out! Because we want to ensure that all of our customers are comfortable using their system, we will have one of our Support Specialist reach out to you shortly. Thank you again and we look forward to speaking with you soon.
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