The last thing you want is for your alarm to go off when there is no emergency. Instantly, you panic. Obviously, this is a scenario you would rather avoid. That’s why it is critical you test your alarm system during regular intervals. They need to function properly when you need them most. Fortunately, for most alarm systems, the test is a relatively straight forward process.
So, how do you prep? First, you need to make sure you alert anyone else in your house. You may also want to alert your neighbors, who may call the police or come running if they think someone is breaking into your home. A good way to prep your neighbors is to choose a specific set of dates to test the system. That way your neighbors can be consistently prepared and you won’t have to run over there to tell them.
Are you using a home security company? Make sure you alert them to the test. No one likes a false alarm, not the least of which your home security company. Emergency responders should be responding to true emergencies, not false alarms. But should you test your alarm by itself?
Test More Than the Home Security System
The first alarm systems you should test are your fire alarms and smoke detectors. Consider this: The death rate per 1,000 reported home fires was more than twice as high in homes that did not have any working smoke alarms. If you test your home security system, test the fire alarm too. It may be that your fire alarm is linked with your home security system, which is even better.
What is the manufacturing date on the back of the smoke detector? And how long has that battery been in there? Why skimp on testing the smoke detector when testing it is as easy as the press of a button? If you have a carbon monoxide detector, you should test that as well. Any ancillary detector you have in the home should be tested when you test the home security system.
Effectively Testing Your Home Security System
Make sure you work with your home security provider or consult the manual if you operate a DIY system. You want to review a step-by-step process before you begin the test. The process can be somewhat time intensive. The proper knowledge of how to proceed will mitigate that. Are there any guidelines or tutorial videos you can refer to?
Finally, you want to test every component of the system. Whether it be a window sensor, motion sensor, security camera, or the alarm itself, leave no stone unturned. Some home security systems are sophisticated enough that they offer an app you can use from anywhere in or outside your home. It’s a lot easier to secure your home when all you need is a smartphone.
Investing in a home security system? Never forget to set a testing date and stick to it!