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Will pets set-off an alarm system?

This is the age old question asked by most pet owners who are looking to buy an alarm system: Will pets set-off an alarm system? [...]

This is the age old question asked by most pet owners who are looking to buy an alarm system: Will pets set-off an alarm system?

It’s true; alarm systems can be set-off by pets. However, alarm systems can be designed to accommodate households with pets, greatly reducing the likelihood of pet-triggered alarms.

Motion sensors are possibly the most well-known device in the alarm industry, but present the greatest challenge when it comes to designing a pet-friendly alarm system. Motion sensors are designed to pick up a warm body moving across a room. They are usually placed in the home to cover a large area or in a position to cover traffic patterns in the home.

The alarm-system designer should ask you many questions about your pets, including their type, size and habits to help prevent issues with motion sensors. There are motion detectors on the market that claim to be pet friendly up to a certain pound limit – meaning that a 40 pound pet-friendly sensor would only pick up persons/pets larger than 40 pounds. These motion detectors have good technology that can be adjusted to avoid pet-triggered alarms based on the size of the animals in your home.

If a device is adjusted properly, it is unlikely that it will be set-off by a pet. For example: A motion sensor can be set to certain specifications so that it won’t “see” a cat. However, there is still a chance that the sensor could be triggered by the cat if it climbs onto a chair and gets directly in front of the motion sensor, even if the device is set to not see a 40 pound pet. To avoid pets triggering these alarms, the system designer should utilize other options to fully protect the home.

Another type of sensor that could possibly be activated by a pet is a glass break sensor. Glass break sensors are activated by a certain decibel of noise. When glass breaks, it reaches a high decibel of noise and pitch. Some dogs can cause a glass break to send an alarm by barking. If you have more hard surfaces in your home, such as hardwood floors, the noise carries and magnifies, making your sensor more likely to be set-off.

There are many more types of detection devices on the market that help detect and protect your home and property, which can also be used in households with pets. If you have any questions regarding these, please contact your service provider.

Homeowners can also take certain preventative measures once the system is installed to ensure that your pets won’t trigger any alarms. For example: If you have a door contact, a pet may be able to open or move the door enough to set off the device if the door is not completely closed. When it comes to door or window contacts, you should make sure the door or window is secure before you activate your alarm system. The tighter the door or window is when it’s completely closed, the less likely it is that an alarm will occur.

Also, remember to test your alarm system regularly to assure its functionality and accuracy. For assistance with your WH Security system, please call 763.477.3664.