Your Complete Guide to Preventing Simplisafe False Alerts
A Simplisafe security system is designed to give you confidence that your home is protected. However, this confidence can be quickly undermined by false alerts. Not only are they startling and inconvenient, but if you have professional monitoring, they can also lead to unnecessary calls from the monitoring centre or even fines from local emergency services.
The good news is that the vast majority of Simplisafe false alarms are preventable. They are typically caused by simple issues with sensor placement or system settings. This guide will provide you with the knowledge to troubleshoot and fix these issues for good.
The Top Causes of Simplisafe False Alarms
Let's identify the likely culprits behind your system's false triggers:
- Incorrect Motion Sensor Placement: This is the number one cause. Sensors facing heat sources, windows, or unsecured objects can easily be triggered.
- Pets: A furry friend roaming the house is a classic trigger for motion sensors that aren't set up correctly.
- Entry Sensor Issues: Loose-fitting doors or windows can move just enough to cause an entry sensor to trip.
- Environmental Factors: Curtains or decorations moving in a draft from a vent can be mistaken for an intruder.
- User Error: Forgetting to disarm the system upon entry is a common, though technically not "false," alarm.
How to Stop False Alarms on Your Simplisafe System
Follow these proven methods to make your system more reliable.
1. Optimise Your Motion Sensors
Proper placement and settings are crucial for motion sensors.
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Sensitivity Setting:
- Using your keypad or the Simplisafe app, go to Menu > Devices.
- Select the motion sensor you want to adjust.
- You will see a sensitivity switch option. Set this to "Low", especially if you have pets.
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Correct Placement:
- Install sensors in the corner of a room, about 1.5 metres (5 feet) from the floor.
- Crucially, for pet owners, install the sensor upside down (with the test button facing the floor). This angles the sensor's field of view slightly upwards, creating a blind spot at floor level where pets can roam freely.
- NEVER point a motion sensor at a radiator, heating vent, fireplace, or a window that gets direct sunlight.
2. Secure Your Entry Sensors
An entry sensor works with a magnet. When the two parts are separated by more than two inches, the alarm is triggered.
- Check the Gap: Ensure the sensor and its magnet are as close as possible (ideally less than an inch apart) when the door or window is closed.
- Test for "Play": Close the door or window and try to jiggle it. If it moves significantly, this could be the source of your problem. You may need to add weather stripping or adjust the frame to create a tighter seal.
- Use the Right Sensor: For windows that open in unconventional ways, consider using a Simplisafe glassbreak sensor instead of an entry sensor.
3. Check for Environmental Triggers
Look around the room from the perspective of your motion sensor.
- Are there any balloons, hanging plants, or curtains that could move in a draft from your heating or cooling system? Secure these items or move the sensor.
- Is the sensor placed on a wobbly shelf or wall? Vibrations from outside traffic could potentially cause a trigger. Ensure it's on a solid surface.
By taking the time to review your sensor placement and settings, you can eliminate the frustration of false alarms and build a more reliable and trustworthy Simplisafe security system.