How to minimize motion sensor false alarms in your Lima home

Motion sensors are crucial aspects in a comprehensive home security plan, as they’ll let you know if unexpected activity is transpiring at your house. Sadly, they’re also prone to false alarms, causing Lima homeowners to lose sleep. If you’re looking for solutions, review our tips on cutting down on motion sensor false alarms.

What triggers motion detector false alarms?

The bulk of home motion detectors use passive infrared (PIR) technology to find movement. They sense shifts in infrared radiation in their field of view and can determine when someone is moving by their heat signature. False alarms are typically caused by: 

• Pets climbing on sofas or countertops
• Intense sunlight streaming through a window
• A variety of heat sources, such as fireplaces and vents
• Rapid temperature or humidity fluctuations, which cause equipment to be overly sensitive or non-functional

Microwave motion sensors are another common option that detects motion by continually broadcasting and evaluating electromagnetic waves. These active motion sensors recognize movement due to modifications in the returning signal. Any unexpected motion, like curtains swaying when the HVAC fan kicks on, can initiate an alarm.

Suggestions for reducing motion sensor false alarms at your Lima home

Aside from interrupted sleep, motion sensor false alarms are even more troublesome as they may lower your sensitivity to real threats. Additionally, frequent false alarms might become a nuisance to first responders and may impact response times in the future. Fortunately, you can help circumvent them by adhering to these suggestions:

• Inspect the sensitivity levels of your devices and modify to your furry friend’s size and behavior.
• Even if you have pet-friendly motion sensors, it’s smart not to aim them at busy places like food dispensers.
• Avoid pointing motion detectors at windows exposed to heavy sunlight.
• Make sure rooms are properly insulated to help prevent drastic temperature shifts.
• Regularly dust and wipe down components to keep sensors clear.
• Inspect batteries and swap out as needed. Some devices will even tell you when batteries are getting low.
• Consider a professional installation to ensure correct placement.

You might also opt for hybrid devices that utilize both passive and active means to detect movement, providing a higher degree of accuracy.

How should you utilize motion sensors in your Lima smart home?

Installing motion sensors in a new smart home is a fantastic way to enhance your convenience and security. You’ll be able to do the following:

• Obtain instant notifications on your mobile device any time movement is spotted. You might also program them to notify you when your kids get home from school.
• Configure interior cameras to record automatically whenever a motion sensor is tripped.
• Adjust temperature settings or lighting in accordance with your home’s occupancy. This capability can help curb energy costs.

Top-tier smart home motion detectors, like the ones offered by Vivint, continue to employ artificial intelligence (AI) to more accurately identify real threats and reduce false alarms.

Create your Vivint smart home with dependable motion sensors

Get the best motion sensors in Lima from Vivint when you plan your fully functional smart home. Our tools are pet-sensitive and let you initiate various automation actions. You’ll also benefit from the five-year battery and automatic smartphone updates. Call (419) 614-6227 today to learn more.