How to cut down on motion sensor false alarms in your Newburgh home
Motion sensors are critical aspects in a multi-layered home security strategy, as they’ll alert you whenever dubious activity is transpiring at your house. Regrettably, they’re also susceptible to false alarms, causing frustration and a bad night’s sleep for Newburgh homeowners. If you’re searching for solutions, review our suggestions for minimizing motion sensor false alarms.
What causes motion detector false alarms?
The majority of household motion detectors employ passive infrared (PIR) technology to find movement. They sense changes in infrared radiation in their field of view and can tell when something is moving by its heat signature. False alarms are often triggered by:
- Pets leaping on counters or sofas
- Direct sunlight shining through a window
- Different heat sources, like fireplaces and air ducts
- Sudden temperature or humidity changes, which cause devices to be hypersensitive or unresponsive
Microwave motion sensors are another widespread option that detects motion by continually broadcasting and assessing electromagnetic waves. These active motion sensors spot movement due to alterations in the returning signal. Any unexpected activity, like curtains swaying when your HVAC fan turns on, can set off an alarm.
Suggestions for reducing motion sensor false alarms at your Newburgh home
Beyond losing sleep, motion sensor false alarms are particularly problematic as they may numb you to genuine risks. Additionally, repeated false alarms may become a nuisance to first responders and may affect ensuing response times. Fortunately, you can help avoid them by following these tips:
- Investigate the sensitivity settings of your equipment and adjust to your animal’s size and behavior.
- Even when you have pet-sensitive motion detectors, it’s advisable not to aim them at high-activity areas like food dispensers.
- Avoid pointing motion sensors at windows exposed to bright sunlight.
- Make sure spaces are adequately insulated to help prevent temperature fluctuations.
- Periodically dust and clean equipment to ensure proper function.
- Monitor batteries and replace as needed. Certain motion sensors will even tell you when batteries are running out.
- Let a pro do the installation to ensure correct placement.
You might also choose multi-function devices that utilize both passive and active tools to detect activity, providing greater accuracy.
How can you utilize motion sensors in your Newburgh smart home?
Incorporating motion sensor into a new smart home is a fantastic way to boost your convenience and safety. You’ll be able to do the following:
- Obtain immediate updates on your mobile device whenever activity is spotted. You might program them to notify you when your children get home from school.
- Program cameras to record when a motion sensor trips.
- Adjust lighting or thermostat settings according to whether people are home. This capability can help reduce energy costs.
Top-tier smart home motion sensors, like the models installed by Vivint, continue to employ artificial intelligence (AI) to more accurately identify real threats and minimize false alarms.
Design your Vivint smart home with reliable motion sensors
Get the best motion sensors in Newburgh from Vivint when you plan your comprehensive smart home. Our sensors are animal-sensitive and permit you to initiate various home automation actions. You’ll also appreciate the five-year battery life and automatic mobile notifications. Contact (845) 640-5419 today to learn more.