How to cut down on motion sensor false alarms in your Miami home
Motion sensors are essential aspects in a multi-layered home security installation, as they’ll let you know if an unwanted guest is prowling around your house. Unfortunately, they’re also susceptible to false alarms, causing Miami homeowners to lose sleep. If you’re looking for solutions, review our tips on minimizing motion sensor false alarms.
What triggers motion detector false alarms?
The bulk of home motion detectors utilize passive infrared (PIR) technology to find activity. They monitor fluctuations in infrared radiation inside their coverage zone and can tell when something is moving by its heat signature. False alarms are frequently triggered by:
- Pets jumping on tabletops or couches
- Flashes of bright daylight through a window
- Various heat sources, like ducts and fireplaces
- Rapid humidity or temperature shifts, which cause components to be too sensitive or unresponsive
Microwave motion sensors are an additional common option that discovers activity by continuously emitting and analyzing electromagnetic waves. These active motion detectors pinpoint movement via modifications in the reflected signal. Any unforseen activity, like curtains moving when your HVAC fan starts up, can set off an alarm.
Tips for limiting motion sensor false alarms at your Miami home
In addition to a lack of sleep, motion sensor false alarms can be particularly troublesome as they can lower your sensitivity to genuine dangers. Additionally, recurring false alarms may become a frustration for local law enforcement and may impact response times in the future. Thankfully, you can help circumvent them by implementing these recommendations:
- Check the sensitivity settings of your sensors and change to your furry friend’s size and behavior.
- Even if you have animal-friendly motion sensors, it’s wise not to point them at high-activity spots like feeding stations.
- Avoid pointing motion detectors at windows that receive intense sunlight.
- Make sure areas are adequately insulated to help prevent drastic temperature fluctuations.
- Periodically dust and wipe off devices to keep sensors clear.
- Monitor batteries and change as needed. Many devices will even tell you when batteries are low.
- Let a pro do the installation to ensure proper positioning.
You could also opt for hybrid devices that utilize both passive and active tools to identify activity, leading to greater accuracy.
How can you use motion sensors in your Miami smart home?
Integrating motion sensors into an automated smart home is a terrific way to improve your convenience and security. You’ll have the opportunity to do the following:
- Obtain automatic alerts on your smartphone whenever activity is spotted. You might also program them to update you when your little ones get home from school.
- Have interior cameras to record when a motion sensor is tripped.
- Alter lighting or thermostat settings based on your home’s occupancy. This feature can help reduce energy bills.
Leading smart home devices, like the ones from Vivint, continue to employ artificial intelligence (AI) to better identify actual threats and decrease false alarms.
Build your Vivint smart home with reliable motion sensors
Get the top motion sensors in Miami from Vivint when you plan your comprehensive smart home. Our tools are pet-sensitive and let you program various automation actions. You’ll also benefit from the five-year battery and instant mobile notifications. Call (786) 833-7988 today to get started.