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What are the Common Causes of False Security Alarms, and How Can I Prevent Them?

May 30th, 2025
Security Alarms

According to recent studies, human error causes more than 80% of false alarms, but most false alarms are entirely preventable with proper understanding and maintenance. Let’s dive into the common culprits behind these nerve-wracking incidents and, more importantly, how you can put a stop to them.

The Scale of the Problem

False alarms represent a significant challenge for households and emergency services alike. Police officers respond to about 13.7 million emergency alarm calls each year nationwide, but according to international data, 98 per cent of these calls are unnecessary. This pattern is mirrored in Australia, where emergency services face similar challenges with false alarm responses.

The consequences extend far beyond personal frustration. In Victoria, for instance, the fines for building owners that trigger call-outs now cost $2800 in fines for fire alarm false alarms, though this does not yet cover the full cost of an emergency call, which could balloon to about $3083 for each false alarm.

While residential security alarm fines vary by council, the financial implications can quickly add up for repeat offenders.

What’s Causing Your False Alarms?

1. Human Error

We’re all human, and humans make mistakes. The single largest cause of false alarms is human error, and it manifests in several ways:

Incorrect keypad use

Whether you’re fumbling with the code in the dark or teaching your teenager the system, improper operation of the control panel is incredibly common. People often forget their codes under pressure, enter them too slowly, or accidentally trigger panic buttons.

Forgetting to disarm the system

We’ve all been there – you dash back inside for your forgotten keys, completely forgetting that you’ve just set the alarm. Re-entering the home just after leaving without disarming (assuming the exit delay is long enough to compensate) is a classic trigger for false alarms.

Poor user training

When babysitters, housekeepers, or visitors don’t understand how your system works, accidents are bound to happen. Research from ADT Security found that 71 per cent of people don’t investigate or call the police when they hear an alarm go off in their local area, which highlights the importance of proper system education for everyone who might need to use it.

2. Faulty Installation and Equipment Placement

A poorly planned security system is like a ticking time bomb for false alarms. The most common causes of false alarms are operator error, improper installation, including poorly positioned motion sensors, and a lack of maintenance.

Motion sensors in the wrong spots

Placing motion detectors near air conditioning vents, heating systems, or in direct sunlight can trigger false alarms. Air conditioners are not usually a problem if the motion detector is not installed directly beside them, but proximity to moving air is a common culprit.

Loose doors and windows

Sensors on loose doors or windows can trigger false alarms when the door or window jiggles. This is particularly common in older homes where doors and windows may not fit as snugly as they once did.

DIY installations gone wrong

While DIY security systems are increasingly popular, they come with risks. Poorly designed systems and component failure are common causes of false alarms which in many cases are linked to systems that have been installed by DIY enthusiasts or non-specialist professionals.

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3. Environmental Factors

Australian weather can be as unpredictable as it is diverse, and environmental conditions play a significant role in false alarms:

Extreme weather conditions: Strong winds can rattle doors and windows, lightning can create electrical interference, and temperature fluctuations can affect sensor sensitivity. Acts of nature (strong winds, electrical storms, etc.) are recognised causes of false alarms, though they’re relatively rare.

Insects and small animals: This might surprise you, but tiny intruders are a common cause of false alarms. Spiders building webs across motion sensors or insects crawling on equipment can trigger the system. Spraying insect repellant periodically around the detection sensors can also help to reduce the risk of crawling insects setting off the alarm.

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4. System Maintenance Issues

Like any technology, security systems require regular care to function properly:

Dead or low batteries: Low batteries in security devices can causes false alarms as well as other faults. Most systems will give you a low battery warning, but it’s easy to ignore these alerts until it’s too late.

Dust and debris: Older smoke detectors can mistake dust for smoke and cause a false alarm. This is especially common if there’s any construction going on in the home. Dust accumulation on sensors can interfere with their operation.

Outdated equipment: Older equipment tends to cause more false alarms than newer equipment because sensors aren’t as sophisticated and lack modern features designed to prevent false triggers.

5. Pet-Related Triggers

Our furry friends can be unwitting accomplices in false alarm scenarios. If homeowners have pets and don’t get sensors with pet-sensitivity settings, there will probably be a lot of false alarms.

Large dogs jumping on furniture, cats prowling at night, or even fish tanks with active filters can all trigger motion sensors that aren’t properly calibrated.

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Prevention Strategies (That Actually Work)

Now that we’ve identified the usual suspects, let’s talk about practical solutions.

The good news is that most false alarms are preventable with the right approach.

Master Your System

  • Get proper training: Don’t just read the manual – actually practice using your system. Properly train all users (e.g., babysitters, relatives, children, visitors, etc.) and make sure everyone who might need to operate the system knows how to do so correctly.
  • Create a cheat sheet: Write down the basic operating instructions and keep them near the control panel. Include your alarm code, monitoring company contact details, and step-by-step instructions for common scenarios.
  • Practice emergency procedures: Run through what to do if the alarm accidentally goes off. Quick response to a false alarm can often prevent emergency services from being dispatched.

Professional Installation and System Design

  • Choose quality over price: Frequently, discount security businesses lead to discount products. Investing in professional installation from a reputable company can save you money and frustration in the long run.
  • Proper sensor placement: Work with your installer to ensure sensors are positioned correctly. Setting detectors in locations with minimal temperature fluctuations, such as not on bathroom windows, above radiators, or in full sunshine, is preferable.
  • Consider your lifestyle: A good security company will assess your home and lifestyle before recommending equipment. Not every burglar alarm system is appropriate for every customer. For example, a homeowner with several pets may not want a system with motion sensors that aren’t pet-friendly.

Regular Maintenance is Key

  • Establish a maintenance schedule: We recommend homes hare their alarms and CCTV service every 12 months and businesses every 6 months depending on their risk factors. This isn’t just a sales pitch – regular servicing can identify potential problems before they cause false alarms.
  • Test your system monthly: It is very important to test your alarm system periodically to make sure that it communicates properly to the 24 hour monitoring centre. Most monitoring companies will help you test your system over the phone.
  • Keep equipment clean: Dust sensors and cameras regularly, and keep vegetation trimmed away from outdoor equipment. Cover up smoke detectors temporarily while working on dusty projects in the home to prevent construction dust from triggering alarms.
  • Replace batteries proactively: Motion detector batteries usually last 2 years or more depending on the motion detector and how often they are triggered. Don’t wait for the low battery warning – replace them on a schedule.

Managing False Alarms

Despite your best efforts, false alarms may still occur. Here’s how to handle them:

Immediate Response

When a false alarm happens, act quickly. Contact your monitoring company immediately to report the false alarm and provide your security code. Many companies have a window of time where they can cancel the emergency response if contacted promptly.

Communication with Your Provider

ADT Security recently introduced an automatic notification service that takes security response to unprecedented levels. The automatic voice response service is a new interactive interface that provides an accurate and speedy way for customers to interact with ADT using text-to-speak technology. Take advantage of these modern communication features to reduce the likelihood of unnecessary emergency responses.

Learning from Incidents

When they do, request that your customers take part in a short debriefing so that you can both better understand why the situation occurred. Work with your security provider to understand what caused the false alarm and how to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Choosing the Right Security Partner

Not all security systems are created equal, and neither are the companies that install and monitor them. When selecting a security provider, consider their approach to false alarm prevention. Some DIY systems may not comply with Australian Standards AS2201 for intruder alarm systems and therefore may not be eligible for a potential insurer discount.

Look for companies that:

  • Conduct thorough site assessments before installation
  • Provide comprehensive user training
  • Offer regular maintenance programs
  • Use modern, smart sensor technology
  • Have responsive customer service for troubleshooting

Take Action Today

At Hypower Security, we understand the frustration of false alarms because we’ve been helping Australian families and businesses prevent them for years.

Our approach to false alarm prevention begins with a thorough assessment of your property and lifestyle. We consider factors like pets, family routines, local environmental conditions, and your home’s unique characteristics before recommending equipment.

Our professional installation ensures sensors are optimally positioned, and our comprehensive training ensures everyone in your family knows how to use the system correctly.

We also provide ongoing support through regular maintenance programs and responsive customer service.

Contact us today for a security system assessment. Let us show you how the right system, properly installed and maintained, can provide the security you need without the false alarm frustration you don’t.

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