Greatest Home Security Systems Fails

Nothing is perfect, including home security systems. Home security system?fails are becoming increasingly common, as home security itself becomes more popular. A lot can go wrong with a faulty or incorrectly installed home security system. Our top 5 list shows common failures?many face with their own home security system. For each specific example on this list, there are dozens more like them not shown here. It’s important to know the issues of home security systems so your failures?don’t end up on a?list like this one! Jay 360 helps you discover what home security system is best for you and your family.

Top Five Home Security System Fails

Whether it’s the case of a beloved pet tripping your alarm, or an alarm failing to go off when there’s a true threat, a lot can go wrong with home security. Below is our list of top 5 home security fails. As unfortunate as they are, these security failures can help educate others on how to avoid and prevent similar problems.

1. Security Alarm Company Owner’s Home Burglarized

In 2009,?Scott Herron, the owner of an alarm system company, fell victim to a home invasion. Despite having his own home security system, his house was?robbed while he and his wife were on vacation. In the WPBF 25 News video?above, Herron laughs as he says, “It is ironic, I understand – but it happens to everybody.” The number one fail on our list acts as a reminder that anyone can fall victim to burglaries – even the owner of an alarm company.

2. Disabling The Alarms

A recent story by Fox 19 News tells of a man who broke into an elderly couple’s home with a screwdriver and then disabled their alarm system before it could go off. This story shows how easy it may be for someone to disable a home security system – apparently with nothing more than a screwdriver. A more fitting security system for this couple or better installation could have helped prevent this incident from ever happening.

3. Clumsy Cat Sets Off Alarm

A cute cat enjoys looking outside the sliding doors – but gets a little too excited and?bumps his head right on the glass, triggering the alarm! Though this seems like a silly video, false alarms are a big problem. In May 2016, Global News reported that Calgary home security system bylaws were changed after data showed that 96% of alarm calls were false alarms. The new bylaw states that police will not be sent?to the home unless more than one alarm has gone off. Some, including home security systems companies, felt?uneasy about this change. A system tailored to your family and your pets could help decrease the huge number of false alarms.

4. The “Malfunctioning” Alarm

Sometimes, a “false alarm” ends up being not so false at all. That is exactly what happened to a local man in San Antonio, as reported by KENS5 Eyewitness News. The San Antonio man reportedly received a call from his security system company explaining his alarm system was malfunctioning. When the resident returned home, it turned out that his home had actually been robbed!

5. The Cutest Culprits

Cats aren’t the only animals that regularly set off alarm systems. NBC Bay Area News?reported that police were dispatched after a home alarm system went off – only to find two fluffy white puppies as the unlikely culprits! Although this is a cute story, like we mentioned in security alarm fail #3, false alarms are an increasingly problematic issue – for both homeowners and police officers.

Learn From These Mistakes

Most?of the failures above are preventable with proper installation and education. Here are a few easy ways to ensure this does not happen to you.

Keep your pets contained when you are not home (for example, a specific room for your cat or a crate for your dog). Another option is to purchase “pet immune” sensors that will not be set off by your furry friend.

Keep your alarm system up-to-date and replace batteries often. Don’t find yourself in a situation where your alarm fails to go off – keep it running smoothly with regular maintenance.

Report false alarms. If you suspect there’s something wrong with your alarm system, don’t hesitate to call your provider. An incorrectly installed alarm may go off at random or not go off at all when there’s a real threat!

Stay on top of things?- memorize your codes and input them with caution so you don’t enter an incorrect number. Keep your doors and windows secure. Don’t store stray objects close to your detectors.

Source:?http://www.safewise.com/blog/8-simple-ways-prevent-home-security-false-alarms/

Follow these simple steps and you can greatly reduce your chances of making the same mistakes others made.

Be Aware of Other Security Breaches

Another big problem that did not make it onto our list is the recent influx in security camera hackings. In August 2016, CTV News reported that dozens of security cameras were hacked?and then live streamed onto the internet. As security cameras become more common, hackings are also becoming a bigger problem. CTV News?reports two big ways to keep your cameras safe from hackers:

Change the default passwords to something unique. Do not buy a system that can be remotely accessed – thought cameras that can be viewed from your phone are becoming increasingly popular, this is the easiest way for them to get hacked. It’s best to avoid this type of system for now.

Click here to watch an ABC News video about camera hackings and the importance of changing your default camera password.

Avoid Home Security Failures With Jay 360

Home security failures can be as minor as a cat or a dog tripping the alarm system and sending a false alarm to the police. However, these failures become much more serious when an actual intruder is involved, and the systems don’t work as they’re supposed to.

In October 2014, USA?Today reported that a?family sued their home security system company after alarms failed to go off when intruders broke in and severely injured their 18-year-old son.

Proper installation of your home security system can ensure the system works as needed, minimizing false alarms and security breaches. Porch.com outlines some other?benefits of hiring an experienced, professional installer. These include:

Providing proper wiring for both silent and audible?alarms

Educating the homeowner on how to use the system and the best ways?to keep their home safe

Providing information on whether or not a permit is necessary in your city or town

Experience with the little challenges and difficulties of installation the homeowner may not be aware of

Reliability and peace of mind that your system is installed correctly

With over 20 years of experience, you can always rely on the knowledge and experience of Jay360 to provide you with the best?home security solutions.?We will recommend only the security products and services that meet your specific needs and budget. Call on Jay 360 today!