How to reduce motion sensor false alarms in your Saginaw home

Motion sensors are essential components in a multi-layered home security plan, as they’ll tell you if an unwelcome guest is moving through your house. Regrettably, they’re also vulnerable to false alarms, causing Saginaw homeowners to lose sleep. If you’re looking for solutions, review our suggestions for reducing motion sensor false alarms.

What initiates motion detector false alarms?

The majority of home motion detectors employ passive infrared (PIR) technology to identify activity. They sense changes in infrared radiation in their detection zone and can tell when something is moving by its heat signature. False alarms are frequently triggered by: 

• Pets climbing on furniture or countertops
• Intense sunlight coming through a window
• Different heat sources, like air ducts and fireplaces
• Drastic humidity or temperature changes, which cause components to be hypersensitive or non-reactive

Microwave motion sensors are another frequently used option that detects movement by continually emitting and analyzing electromagnetic waves. These active motion sensors recognize movement via changes in the returning signal. Any unforseen motion, like curtains swaying when the HVAC fan turns on, can initiate an alarm.

Suggestions for decreasing motion sensor false alarms at your Saginaw home

Beyond a lack of sleep, motion sensor false alarms are particularly troublesome as they might lower your sensitivity to actual threats. Furthermore, frequent false alarms can become a nuisance to emergency providers and may influence response times in the future. Fortunately, you can help avoid them by implementing these tips:

• Inspect the sensitivity levels of your equipment and modify to your pet’s size and behavior.
• Avoid pointing them at high-activity spots like food dispensers, even if you have pet-sensitive detectors.
• Avoid aiming motion sensors at windows that receive heavy sunlight.
• Make sure areas are properly insulated to help prevent extreme temperature changes.
• Regularly dust and wipe off components to ensure proper function.
• Monitor batteries and swap out as needed. Certain devices will even tell you when batteries are running out.
• Let a pro do the installation to ensure correct positioning.

You may also choose hybrid devices that use both passive and active sensors to detect motion, providing greater accuracy.

How should you use motion sensors in your Saginaw smart home?

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

• Get immediate updates on your smartphone when activity is found. You could also use them to update you when your kids come home from school.
• Configure indoor cameras to record any time a motion sensor triggers.
• Alter temperature settings or lighting according to whether people are home. This functionality can help reduce utility costs.

Top-tier smart home motion sensors, like those offered by Vivint, continue to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to more accurately recognize actual threats and reduce false alarms.

Create your Vivint smart home with reliable motion sensors

Get the best motion sensors in Saginaw from Vivint when you design your comprehensive smart home. Our devices are pet-sensitive and permit you to initiate numerous home automation actions. You’ll also benefit from the five-year battery life and automatic smartphone notifications. Contact (989) 461-3399 today to design your system.