Top protection tips
- Your alarm comes with a battery within the main control panel. With a life expectancy of around five years, the battery keeps the system working even if the power fails. A dead battery means false alarms. Turn off the main power supply, remove the cover from the control panel (you'll need to undo a couple of screws) and remove the battery; buy and install a replacement. (Make sure to buy the replacement before you remove the old battery, so you can install it immediately.)
- Remove the covers of the Passive Infrared (PIR) detectors in the rooms of your home and clean out insects or webs before replacing them.
- Ensure that the covers of the control panel and of the PIR detectors are secure or you may trigger the system's "tamper" alarm.
- Position PIR detectors away from heat sources, such as dishwashers, tumble dryers or security lights.
- Close windows before setting the alarm; the movement of curtains, plants or decorations in the breeze may be enough to trigger the alarm.
- Check that the two parts of a door or window sensor are correctly aligned — it's easy to knock one out of position when cleaning or moving furniture.
- Some wireless alarm systems can be affected by remote controls and other wireless devices. If the alarm goes off every time you change channels, you may need to select a different transmission channel for your alarm through its control panel.
- Monitored alarm systems — those connected to the alarm company via the telephone — may sound if the telephone line fails. Check that the phone is working and that it is still connected to the alarm box.
