How to reduce motion sensor false alarms in your New Orleans home

Motion sensors are crucial components in a multi-layered home security installation, as they’ll tell you if suspicious activity is transpiring at your house. Sadly, they’re also vulnerable to false alarms, causing New Orleans homeowners to lose sleep. If you’re searching for solutions, review our recommendations for reducing motion sensor false alarms.

What triggers motion detector false alarms?

Most household motion detectors utilize passive infrared (PIR) technology to find activity. They sense fluctuations in infrared radiation in their detection zone and can tell when something is moving by its heat signature. False alarms are frequently initiated by: 

• Pets climbing on counters or couches
• Flashes of bright daylight through a window
• Various heat sources, like air ducts and fireplaces
• Rapid temperature or humidity shifts, which cause components to be hypersensitive or unresponsive

Microwave motion sensors are an additional frequently used option that senses activity by constantly broadcasting and evaluating electromagnetic waves. Called active motion detectors, they spot movement due to alterations in the returning signal. Any unanticipated motion, like curtains shifting when the HVAC fan turns on, can initiate an alarm.

Suggestions for decreasing motion sensor false alarms at your New Orleans home

Aside from interrupted sleep, motion sensor false alarms are increasingly problematic as they may desensitize you to genuine threats. Moreover, recurring false alarms can become a frustration for local law enforcement and may influence future response times. Luckily, you can help circumvent them by following these recommendations:

• Check the sensitivity settings of your sensors and adjust to your pet’s size and behavior.
• Even if you have animal-friendly motion sensors, it’s advisable not to direct them at high-traffic spots like feeding stations.
• Avoid directing motion detectors at windows exposed to intense sunlight.
• Make sure rooms are properly insulated to minimize drastic temperature shifts.
• Periodically dust and clean equipment to ensure proper function.
• Monitor batteries and replace as needed. Many motion detectors will even let you know when batteries are low.
• Consider a professional installation to ensure proper positioning.

You may also invest in multi-function devices that utilize both active and passive means to sense activity, leading to greater accuracy.

How can you utilize motion sensors in your New Orleans smart home?

Integrating motion sensors into a new smart home is a excellent way to boost your convenience and safety. You’ll have the opportunity to do the following:

• Receive instant updates on your cell phone any time movement is spotted. You might use them to update you when your children come home from school.
• Have indoor cameras to record any time a motion sensor triggers.
• Adjust temperature levels or lighting according to whether people are home. This functionality can help reduce energy expenses.

Leading smart home devices, like those from Vivint, continue to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to better identify real threats and minimize false alarms.

Design your Vivint smart home with dependable motion sensors

Get the best motion sensors in New Orleans from Vivint when you plan your fully integrated smart home. Our sensors are animal-sensitive and let you initiate various automation actions. You’ll also benefit from the five-year battery and automatic smartphone notifications. Contact (504) 285-9448 today to get started.