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False alarms and system malfunctions can be exasperating, and more importantly, could prevent your home security system from doing its job effectively. Fortunately, most issues, from dead batteries to false alarms, are simple to fix. Check out our recommendations for troubleshooting your home alarm system in Lexington. We’ll help you keep your family members safeguarded and your system operating the way it should.

Test Your Home Security System In Lexington

One of the best ways to troubleshoot your property’s security is to test it! Newer systems allow you to put them in test mode to avoid triggering an emergency response from monitoring agents. After moving to test mode, follow these steps:

• Turn on your system as you would when you exit your home.
• Open a door or window that uses a contact sensor, or test other equipment. Shut the door or window once you’re done so it doesn’t trigger the alarm when you switch the system back on.
• Allow the alarm to resonate for 60 seconds to make sure a signal is delivered to the security company and an entry is created in the alarm activity log.
• Proceed to test devices as you wish
• Review the systems’s activity log to verify proper function.

Rest assured, monitoring specialists can tell that your alarm system is involved in a test. Just make sure to turn test mode off when you’re done. It’s a good idea to test monthly or whenever you change your home’s internet or phone connectivity.

Inspect The Position And Condition Of Motion Sensors

Although an crucial element of your alarm system, motion sensors are notorious for false alarms. Do your part to prevent them with a few simple troubleshooting steps.

• Do a visual inspection. Is there anything that could move within the detection path of the sensor, like a window treatment caught in a breeze?
• Is the sensor clean? Dirt, cobwebs, and debris can cause issues. Check to confirm the sensor is clean.
• Does the motion detector offer pet immunity you can enable? Some sensors can be programmed to ignore pets up to 100 pounds.
• When was the battery changed? Low batteries can affect performance or result in false alarms.
• Is the sensor pointing toward a source of heat? Excessive heat from sunlight or a fireplace can cause an alarm.

Keep Batteries Ready And Look Out For Low Battery Signals

One of the great aspects of modern home security systems is that they’ll let you know when batteries are getting low. If your system is equipped with a control panel or smartphone app, you’ll usually see notifications there. Depending on the alarm, you may notice an intermittent beep when batteries are getting low. 

Contact sensors, smoke detectors, motion sensors, and other wireless components have batteries that should be replaced every year or two. It’s a good idea to keep batteries around and set a replacement schedule. Many systems also come with a rechargeable backup battery for the main control panel. This battery helps keep your system functioning if you have a power outage and should recharge once power is back online. If it doesn’t, you will need to replace it.

Troubleshooting Is Effortless With ADT Home Security In Lexington 

As the foremost name in home security, ADT designs systems that offer unsurpassed functionality and convenience. Switching to test mode is simple through the ADT+ app or MyADT.com, and you’ll always get alerts when a sensor battery is running low. Contact Secure24 Alarm Systems, an authorized ADT dealer, to get more details and design a system perfect for your Lexington home and family. Call (859) 279-1710 or complete our form today!