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False alarms and system glitches can be frustrating, and more importantly, may prevent your home’s security from working how it should. Luckily, most problems, from false alarms to dead batteries, are simple to remedy. Check out our recommendations for troubleshooting your home alarm system in Tampa. We’ll help you keep your family safeguarded and your system operating properly.

Test Your Home Security System In Tampa

One of the most effective ways to troubleshoot your home’s security is to test it! Newer systems have a test mode so you don’t by accident trigger an emergency response. After moving to test mode, do the following:

• Turn on your system as you would when you leave.
• Open a door or window that has a contact sensor, or test other sensors. Shut the window or door so it doesn’t prompt the alarm as you reactivate the system.
• Let the alarm go off for 60 seconds to make sure a message is delivered to the security provider and an entry is created in the alarm activity log.
• Proceed to test equipment as needed
• Review the system activity log to validate that everything’s working.

Rest assured, monitoring professionals can tell that your system is being tested. Just make sure to switch out of test mode when you’re done. It’s wise to test monthly or whenever you make changes to your home’s internet or phone service.

Evaluate The Position And Condition Of Motion Detectors

Although an essential aspect of your alarm system, motion sensors are prone to false alarms. Do your part to prevent them with some basic troubleshooting.

• Do a physical inspection. Is there something that could shift within the sensor’s detection area, like a curtain caught in a breeze?
• Is the sensor clean? Cobwebs, dirt, and debris can lead to issues. Make sure the device is clean.
• Does the motion detector offer pet immunity you can turn on? Some models can be set to disregard pets weighing up to 100 pounds.
• When was the battery replaced? Low batteries may affect performance or lead to false alarms.
• Is a heat source affecting the sensor? Excessive heat from direct sun or a fireplace can trigger an alarm.

Keep Batteries On Hand And Watch Out For Low Battery Signals

One helpful perk of modern home security systems is that they’ll tell you when batteries are getting low. If your system uses a control panel or app, you’ll typically find notifications there. Depending on the alarm, you might detect an intermittent beep when batteries are getting low. 

Motion detectors, smoke detectors, contact sensors, and other wireless tools have batteries that need to be replaced every year or two. It’s wise to keep batteries on hand and create a replacement schedule. Many systems also come with a backup battery for the main control panel. This backup battery helps keep your system operating if you have a power outage and should recharge once power is back online. If it fails to recharge, you will have to replace it.

Troubleshooting Is Easy With ADT Home Security In Tampa 

As the foremost name in home security, ADT designs systems that supply superior functionality and protection. Accessing test mode is easy through MyADT.com or the ADT+ app, and you’ll always be sent updates when a sensor battery is nearing depletion. Contact Secure24 Alarm Systems, an authorized ADT dealer, to find out more and design a system perfect for your Tampa home. Place a call to (813) 355-0757 or submit our form today!