How to Prevent False Alarms: 5 Simple Security Tips for Your Property

False alarms are a pain in the proverbial. They interrupt your day, annoy your neighbours, and can waste valuable police or patrol resources. 

If they happen too often, they can also reduce how seriously a real alarm is taken. And no one wants to be that business.

At PGC Security, we know that most false alarms are preventable. So if your alarm system has been going off without reason, or you want to make sure it doesn’t start, here are five practical tips to help reduce false alarms and keep your business or property secure.

1. What triggers most false alarms?

Let’s start with the basics. False alarms are often caused by human error, environmental factors, or poorly maintained equipment. Things like:

• Leaving a door or window open when arming the system
• Movement from pets, balloons, or decorations
• Dust, cobwebs or insects blocking motion sensors
• Incorrect PIN entry by staff or visitors
• Power issues or low system batteries

Understanding what sets your system off is the first step to preventing it from happening again.

2. How do I avoid false alarms before leaving the property?

It sounds obvious, but the number one cause of false alarms is not properly securing the premises. Before arming your alarm system, always:

• Double check all doors and windows are closed and locked
• Confirm no one is lingering inside who might trigger motion sensors
• If you have pets indoors, confine them to a specific room that isn’t monitored
• Let others on-site know the alarm is being armed, especially if you’re part of a larger team or site

These small steps only take a minute but can save you a whole lot of hassle.

3. What should I check around my sensors?

Movement-based sensors are great when they work properly, but they don’t always get the love they deserve. To keep them functioning the way they should, make sure:

• Sensors are clean and free from cobwebs, dust, or insects
• Decorations (like party balloons or Christmas ornaments) are not hanging nearby
• Furniture or stacked boxes aren’t blocking line of sight
• There’s no loose signage or window coverings that could flap around in the breeze

If you’re renovating or moving things around, take note of where your sensors are positioned and adjust accordingly.

4. Who needs to know how to use the alarm system?

Anyone with access. That includes staff, cleaners, caretakers, contractors, or anyone else who might be coming or going while you’re not there. 

Make sure they know:

• How to arm and disarm the system
• What their individual access code is (never share one code across the team)
• What to do if they accidentally trigger the alarm

It’s also a good idea to test your system regularly and run a refresher for your team, especially if you’ve had new staff start or old access codes haven’t been updated in a while.

5. How often should I service my alarm system?

Security systems are like any piece of equipment, they need regular maintenance. Even the best alarm system won’t do much if it’s not working properly.

We recommend scheduling maintenance at least once a year, but some businesses benefit from more frequent checks. A routine service will:

• Make sure all components are working
• Replace backup batteries if needed
• Identify outdated equipment or potential weak spots
• Confirm that monitoring and response connections are active

At PGC Security, we offer ongoing support and maintenance for all the systems we install, tailored to what you need. And we’re happy to maintain systems installed by others too.

Why false alarms matter more than you think

Frequent false alarms can affect more than just your stress levels. They can:

• Lead to security complacency
• Delay emergency response times
• Cost you extra if you’re paying for patrol callouts or guard response
• Damage your relationship with neighbours or nearby businesses

False alarms can also affect insurance claims. If your insurer believes the system isn’t being used properly or has a history of false triggers, you may not be covered in the event of an actual incident.

Want help preventing false alarms?

If your alarm system keeps going off without a reason, or you’re not sure if it’s working the way it should, we can help.

At PGC Security, we work with businesses of all sizes across Albury Wodonga and Wagga Wagga. Whether it’s maintenance, a system upgrade, or a new alarm install, we’ve got you covered.

Get in touch today and let’s make false alarms a thing of the past.

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