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Tips to cut down on false alarms in Portland

June 17, 2022

tablet view of home security screen

False alarms may become a real problem for home security systems. Not only can they be a pain to resolve, but they may decrease the faith you have in your equipment. Fortunately, you may do some things to minimize false alarms from your Portland home security system.

To begin, make sure that all components are connected properly. This might sound like an obvious course of action, but it’s common that simple miscues result in false alarms. For the next step, watch out for likely causes of false alarms, such as entry points that might be left ajar mistakenly. And finally, you should try to incorporate the extra options like home automation and geotracking to cut down on false alarms in Portland.

Is it really that easy? Read on and see for yourself.

Many false alarms in Portland are avoidable

Like diagnosing any issue, the initial step is to reference the guidebook. Be certain that all alarms and sensors are set up correctly on your end by:

  • Executing a system analysis via your touchscreen smart hub.
  • Manually evaluate each sensor to be certain it didn't get knocked out of place or need fresh batteries.
  • Inspect your schedules and presets to ensure that your system isn’t activating at inopportune times.
  • Ensure all recently added smart devices are configured correctly and aren't interfering with your home’s alarm.

Contact your service agent if you continue to have issues cutting down false alarms in your Portland system. They'll be happy to send out a tech to inspect your setup.

Inspect your entry points

In the event your installation seems to be OK, the ensuing measure is to do an investigation of the house. Are all your windows and doors shut tight, or are any inadvertently cracked? If an access point stays open, it might trigger a sensor. If your household routinely neglects to secure an entrance, you might want to implement a smart locking mechanism that secures automatically when the alarm is engaged. Unfortunately, windows require more hands-on attention, mainly if you have someone who likes to fall asleep with a window cracked. Thankfully, your Vivint alarm system makes it simple to turn off that sensor while protecting the rest of the house.

Smart home automation tends to be an effective way to cut down on false alarms in Portland

One of the best ways to lessen the likelihood of false alarms is to include smart home automation into your security system. When utilizing your Vivint app, you’re able to:

  • Program a schedule to disengage the alarm when you are home and avert false alarms that happen due to mistakenly opening doors or windows. Then have it automatically set again after dark when you’re asleep.
  • Set your home security to disengage whenever your smart lock is activated with the right code.
  • Set geotracking to arm your system if you depart the premises, then disengage when you return.
  • Get cell phone updates when your devices sense abnormal motion or require a fresh battery.
  • Link your equipment to a smart home speaker, so you are able to disarm and arm your system without the smartphone app or smart home hub.

Cut down on false alarms in Portland by switching to a Vivint smart home

Greater authority over your alarm system results in a much lower likelihood of false alarms. To customize your Vivint home security system, contact (503) 213-9485 or complete the form on this page.