How to reduce motion sensor false alarms in your Riverside home
Motion sensors are essential aspects in a multi-layered home security plan, as they’ll alert you whenever an uninvited guest is sneaking around your house. Sadly, they’re also prone to false alarms, causing Riverside homeowners to lose sleep. If you’re looking for solutions, check out our recommendations for reducing motion sensor false alarms.
What triggers motion detector false alarms?
The bulk of household motion detectors use passive infrared (PIR) technology to find movement. They monitor shifts in infrared radiation in their field of view and can recognize when someone is in motion by their heat signature. False alarms are often triggered by:
- Pets climbing on furniture or counters
- Streams of intense daylight through a window
- Various heat sources, such as fireplaces and vents
- Drastic humidity or temperature shifts, which cause equipment to be too sensitive or unresponsive
Microwave motion sensors are an additional common option that detects motion by continuously broadcasting and evaluating electromagnetic waves. Referred to as active motion sensors, they recognize movement via changes in the reflected signal. Any unforseen movement, like curtains moving when your HVAC fan starts up, can initiate an alarm.
Suggestions for reducing motion sensor false alarms at your Riverside home
Aside from losing sleep, motion sensor false alarms can be increasingly troublesome as they can lower your sensitivity to real risks. Additionally, recurring false alarms might become an annoyance for first responders and may influence ensuing response times. Fortunately, you can help avoid them by implementing these suggestions:
- Check the sensitivity settings of your devices and change to your animal’s size and behavior.
- Even if you have pet-friendly motion sensors, it’s advisable not to direct them at high-activity areas like feeding stations.
- Avoid directing motion detectors at windows exposed to bright sunlight.
- Make certain areas are properly insulated to prevent temperature changes.
- Dust and clean components periodically to keep sensors working properly.
- Inspect batteries and swap out as needed. Certain motion detectors will even inform you when batteries are getting low.
- Let a pro do the installation to ensure optimal positioning.
You may also opt for hybrid devices that use both passive and active tools to detect activity, providing greater accuracy.
How should you use motion sensors in your Riverside smart home?
Installing motion sensors in a modern smart home is a excellent way to enhance your convenience and security. You’ll be able to do the following:
- Receive immediate updates on your cell phone when motion is found. You might program them to update you when your little ones arrive home from school.
- Configure interior cameras to record when a motion sensor trips.
- Adjust lighting or temperature settings in accordance with your home’s occupancy. This functionality can help curb energy bills.
Leading smart home motion sensors, like those offered by Vivint, continue to employ artificial intelligence (AI) to more effectively identify real threats and decrease false alarms.
Design your Vivint smart home with reliable motion sensors
Get leading motion sensors in Riverside from Vivint when you customize your fully functional smart home. Our devices are pet-sensitive and allow you to initiate a variety of home automation actions. You’ll also benefit from the five-year battery life and immediate cell phone notifications. Call (951) 477-3741 today to learn more.