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Installing a home alarm system is a prudent move for many reasons. Doing so can reduce home insurance rates and protect one's valuables, for starters. Regrettably, most homeowners fail to tap into the full potential of their systems. If you have an alarm system, you owe it to yourself to get the most from your hardware with the following tips.
Fine-Tune Sensor Behavior
The default system configuration of a top-shelf alarm setup should work well for most homeowners. However, it's rarely optimal. During the first month or so, you should test-drive the system and adjust sensor sensitivity as well as placement to avoid false positives. Pay close attention to what triggers a mobile app alert and what doesn't.
Personalize Home Access
A modern alarm system can do so much more than simply alerting homeowners to unauthorized entrances. Start off by giving each resident their own unique access code. Typically, it's also possible to set up no-show alerts that are sent to a mobile phone in case someone who's supposed to come home never arrives.
Use a Third-Party Monitor
Relying on an alarm installer to monitor your system isn't the best option. Contracting with a business that specializes in alarm monitoring is a better way to administer a home security system. When seconds matter, having the most experienced and knowledgeable security experts available notify the authorities for you can prevent a potentially disastrous outcome.
Have a Backup Plan in Place
An alarm system won't do you much good if there's a blackout in your neighborhood and you don't have emergency power waiting in the wings. At a minimum, your alarm network should be equipped with a 24-hour battery array that can keep everything operational while electricity from the grid is unavailable.
Regularly Test Your Connections
Nowadays, many home security systems rely on numerous wireless components to provide responsive protection. Despite their convenience, Wi-Fi systems can be spotty if you run into interference from microwaves and concrete walls. Take 10 minutes every month to ensure that each part of your alarm system can communicate clearly and consistently with central command.
Going the Extra Mile
If you go to the trouble of setting up an alarm infrastructure, you might as well squeeze as much functionality out of it as possible. The tips covered here in brief are a decent start. Fully familiarize yourself with your security hardware and software to make the most of your system.