Anticipating Threats to Your Alarm System

Last week, we reviewed some of the Unexpected Benefits to Alarm Monitoring. In that post, we share some of the unlikely ways that a monitored security system can provide you with added security and peace of mind. This week, we take a slightly different approach to anticipating the unexpected when it comes to your alarm. As you’ll see here, sometimes even the best-laid plans can go to waste. Therefore, we like to help our customers anticpate potential issues before they turn into real-life security problems. In this post, we aim to help you with anticipating threats to your alarm system.

First, we’ll show you how alarm wiring can get compromised after installation. From there, we’ll reveal how poor system maintenance can lead to predictable downfalls. Them we’ll shift our focus to helping you address common threats to your alarm’s monitoring. Since your monitoring is such an important part of your security, we’ll spend some time reviewing your best option to achieve consistent and reliable monitoring when you need it most. Finally, we’ll review some poor alarm use practices that can negate your security, and how to fix them. Now, let’s dive in with a look at threats to your alarm’s contacts and wires!

Pesky Threats to Your Alarm’s Contacts and Wires

Traditionally, installing a security system involves running quite a bit of wiring. In fact, traditional alarms required running wires from each and every contact back to a main control panel. More recent alarms allow for the use of wireless contacts that communicate to the board using radio frequency (or “RF”) technology. These alarms generally still require wiring from the panel to the keypads and siren. Over time, these wires could get ruined or even get eaten by mice or other small animals. Commercial settings with warehouses provide the most likely scenario for this type of problem. The exposure to elements and pests would often lead to alarm issues down the road. Moreover, insects and small bugs crawling into sensors could also cause issues. This rings especially true when it comes to bugs crawling inside motion detectors, which often sense the presence of heat and go into alarm.

When it comes to anticipating threats to your alarm system, we have a few ways to avoid these issues. For starters, we always install wiring in the most well-kept areas of a building we can find. When appropriate, we also use conduit to secure our wires against environmental threats. Additionally, cleaning your security devices frequently can keep critters from calling your alarm sensors their home. Finally, we use wireless technology whenever possible. Our preferred alarm panel, the QOLSYS IQ Panel 4, requires no wiring at all, and provides superior wireless range! Using the latest and greatest alarm technology can help you avoid these issues altogether. Now, let’s see how you can proactively prepare to maintain your alarm effectively.

Security Maintenance Pitfalls

We recommend taking a few practical steps towards maintaining your security equipment. As we’ve already mentioned, we encourage our customers to visually inspect security equipment on a regular basis, especially in basements, garages, or in other areas where dirt may collect. A buildup of grime in an environmental sensor or a developing spiderweb in a motion detector can easily cause a malfunction. Taking this advice can keep your equipment running for years longer than it would if you let these elements build up until it makes your security equipment fail.

In addition to checking on your sensors, we also recommend testing your alarm’s monitoring. To perform this test, simply call your alarm company and have them put your system on “test” mode. This will cancel the usual central station response to an alarm. At that point, the person from your alarm company can stay on the line while you arm your security system. After completing this step, simply open a door or window to activate the alarm. After 30 seconds or so, your security company can see the alarm signal come through and verify your alarm’s communication.

Furthermore, modern alarm systems also test their communication with the central station on a regular basis. If you have an antiquated alarm system, consider upgrading to one that will perform these tests. Doing so can help you catch any issues before they keep your alarm from dialing out during an emergency. All of these tips can help you anticipate an alarm issue before it takes place. Now, let’s look at some monitoring-related security threats worth addressing as well.

Monitoring-Related Threats

Our alarm monitoring provides a huge security boost to all of our alarm customers. This service provides a central station response to an alarm activation. This alerts you to the problem and, if necessary, creates an emergency dispatch as well. Traditional alarm monitoring relies on a hardwired telephone line to create a connection between an alarm and our central station. However, a couple of factors have started to make this form of alarm monitoring seem outdated.

For one, many customers have shed their landlines, making traditional alarm monitoring impossible. Furthermore, this form of alarm monitoring will fail you any time your phone lines go down. This can happen due to weather or cars hitting telephone poles. Additionally, traditional alarm monitoring will fail if a thief cuts your property’s phone lines before breaking in. Many burglars take this precaution, so using a monitoring service that doesn’t get affected by this act adds tremendous security.

Cellular dialers use a cell phone network, rather than a landline, to communicate to the central station. This means they are not affected by any of the issues we’ve listed here. In addition, many customers prefer the extra functionality and convenience provided through interactive cellular monitoring. Some cellular dialers, such as ours powered by Alarm.com, offer these services. Interactive monitoring allows users to control their security system remotely. Forget to set the alarm on the way to work? Simply grab your phone and use the Alarm.com app to take care of it. This level of security and convenience makes installing an Alarm.com cellular dialer a great method for anticipating threats to your alarm system. Let’s now look at one final threat in the form of poor alarm use practices!

Threats in the Form of Poor Alarm Use Practices

Unfortunately, even the most well-designed alarms can fail you if you do not use them properly. Many people install alarms only to set them up and maintain them carelessly down the road. We recommend taking a couple steps to increase your alarm’s effectiveness. First, make sure to create different alarm codes for each person that will use the security system. Many people create one code that they give out to everyone who may enter the property. Of course, this can lead to issues down the road with ex-employees or old housesitters or contractors coming back uninvited.

We also run into issues that arise when customers fail to arm their system properly. Of course, failing to arm your security system when you leave creates an obvious security threat. The aforemntioned Alarm.com interactive monitoring goes a long way towards alleviating that issue. Finally, we run into many customers that fail to take advantage of our extended warranty program. Customers with a warranty experience free parts and service calls as needed. In fact, this represents perhaps the best way to address all of the issues in this post! We highly recommend asking about adding a warranty to your alarm whether before, during, or after its installation.

Putting it All Together and Anticipating Threats to Your Alarm System

We hope that this post helps you with anticipating threats to your alarm system. Of course, we encourage you to contact us with any questions the material here may raise for you. We will happily answer any and all of your security-related inquiries. In fact, we will also conduct a complimentary site survey if you would like us to help you utilize the tips that we share in this post. We’ve long offered free security audits and equipment quotes to both new and existing customers alike. Over our 35-plus years in business, we’ve helped thousands of home and business owners create the most effective security possible. Together, we can create an efficient and effective plan that fits all of your security needs!