With Christmas just around the corner there are more than just visions of sugarplums dancing in my head. Although a very celebratory time of year, Christmas is known in the security alarm industry as a time of high False Alarm rates. I know it sounds odd to be thinking about work during the festive season but I am the type of person that cannot walk into a restaurant without analyzing the strengths and weaknesses inherent in their particular security system... Yes, I admit it, my name is Heinz and I am an Alarm Geek.

When you start hanging your decorations consider how your security system is set-up and any motion detectors installed in the vicinity. Surpassed only by balloons and pets, Garland and any other hanging type decorations are notorious for causing false alarms in security systems. Remember, the effectiveness of your entire security system is only as good as the authority’s willingness to respond to alarms from your home or business. Just think about the crying wolf syndrome, the same applies to false alarming security systems.

There are other false alarm causing factors inherent in many security systems this time of year. With the onslaught of colder weather, blowing furnaces and fireplaces often cause motion detectors to falsely activate Security Systems. Although this is more of an installation issue that should be addressed prior to installation of your security system, it is something to consider once the weather changes.