How to Prevent Pets from Triggering Your Scout Alarm
The Scout security system is a great way to protect your home, but a system that constantly creates false alarms is more of a nuisance than a safeguard. One of the most common causes of false alarms for any security system is pets. While Scout's motion sensors are designed to be "pet-friendly," their effectiveness depends entirely on correct installation and understanding their limitations.
If your furry friends are triggering unwanted alarms, this guide will provide you with the essential knowledge to fix the problem by optimising your sensor placement and setup.
## Understanding How Pet-Friendly Motion Sensors Work
It's important to know that a "pet-friendly" motion sensor doesn't actually "see" your pet. These are Passive Infrared (PIR) sensors, which means they detect changes in heat energy in a room. The technology is designed to ignore the smaller heat signature of an animal under a certain weight, typically 40 pounds (about 18 kg).
It works by having a detection zone that is stronger further out and weaker closer to the ground. A small animal walking on the floor won't be picked up, but a taller human will. This is why placement is so critical.
## Step 1: The Golden Rule - Correct Sensor Placement
You can solve almost all pet-related false alarms by ensuring your Scout Motion Sensor is installed correctly.
- Height is Crucial: The sensor must be mounted 5 feet (approximately 1.5 metres) high on a flat wall. Do not place it higher or lower than this recommended height.
- Avoid Aiming at Climbable Objects: This is the most common mistake. Never point the motion sensor at stairs, a sofa, a cat tree, or any other furniture your pet can climb on. If your cat can jump onto the back of the sofa, it will be in the sensor's primary detection zone and will trigger an alarm, no matter its size.
- Use a Corner: The ideal location is in the corner of a room, mounted 5 feet high. This gives the sensor a broad view of the room's entry points while making it less likely to be aimed directly at furniture.
- Avoid Heat Sources: Do not install the sensor facing a window that gets direct sunlight, a radiator, or a heating vent. Sudden changes in temperature can also cause false triggers.
## Step 2: Know Your Pet's Behaviour
Consider the unique habits of your pets.
- Large Pets: If you have a pet that is over the 40 lb weight limit, the motion sensor is likely to detect it regardless of placement. In rooms where a large dog roams, you may need to rely on other sensor types.
- Climbers and Jumpers: Cats and agile dogs that love to climb on furniture present a special challenge. As mentioned above, careful placement is key, but you may find that a motion sensor isn't suitable for a room with a cat tree, for example.
- Multiple Pets: If you have multiple smaller pets that often play or cuddle together, their combined heat signature could potentially be large enough to trigger the sensor.
## Step 3: Alternative Security Strategies
If you have a large pet or a very agile one and cannot find a suitable location for the motion sensor, you may need to adapt your security strategy for certain rooms.
- Rely on Entry Sensors: Instead of using a motion sensor in the main living area, ensure that every door and window in that room is protected with a Scout Entry Sensor. This secures the perimeter of the room without monitoring the movement inside it.
- Create a "Pet Alley": If possible, you can try to create a pathway for your pet that is outside the motion sensor's direct line of sight. This is an advanced technique and depends heavily on your home's layout.
By focusing on the fundamental principles of correct placement, you can dramatically reduce or completely eliminate false alarms caused by your pets, making your Scout alarm a reliable and trustworthy part of your home.