Steps to Take if Your Glass Break Sensors Continually Go Off

Feeling safe and secure in a home is an important part of owning it, and being able to maintain that feeling of security is priceless. Homeowners looking to upgrade their security have many choices at their fingertips, with modern home security systems offering a variety of protective products. Among those choices are glassbreak sensors, which can be used to alert a homeowner of a break-in.

These devices are designed to detect the specific frequency of breaking glass, serving as an early warning system against intrusions through windows or glass doors. Glassbreak detectors can be highly effective in responding to the sound of glass breaking; however, the same frequency can accidentally be created by a different source, causing the sensors to go off without a valid reason. This can lead to false alarms from your security system which can be both annoying and frightening. To avoid a false alarms and ensure the sensor works properly, adjust the sensors’ sensitivity.

False Alarms Can Cause Stress and Frayed Nerves

False alarms from security systems can be stressful, but frequent false alarms signal the need for system adjustments. What’s more, a pattern of false alarms can create more trouble down the road, especially if your system is also professionally monitored.

Repeatedly addressing false alarms may cause someone to dismiss all alarms. If homeowners don’t take a glass break sensor seriously, because they think it’s another false alarm, they could miss out on an important event like someone trying to break into their home.

Possible Causes of False Alarms:

• Loud Noises: Everyday sounds like slamming doors or a dog’s bark can be mistaken for the sound of breaking glass.

• Vibrations: Nearby construction or loud music can cause enough vibration to set off the sensor.

• Sensor Malfunctions: A malfunctioning sensor could be overly sensitive or faulty, leading to false alarms.

• Obstructions: Bugs, cobwebs, or dust covering the sensor might affect its sensitivity.

• Incorrect Positioning: If the sensor is not positioned correctly, it might pick up unrelated noises.

• Low Battery: A low battery can sometimes lead to erratic behavior of the sensor.

Noises That Might Set Off Glassbreak Sensors:

• High-Pitched Sounds: Frequencies like glass shattering, a dropped box of metal objects, or clapping hands, can activate the sensor.

• Thuds: Some sensors require hearing a ‘thud’ of an object striking the glass before the ‘crash’ of breaking glass.

• Musical Instruments: The sound of a snare drum from a drum set could potentially trigger the sensor.

• Animal Noises: Certain bird calls, particularly from large birds like cockatoos, might be mistaken for glass breaking.

Addressing a false alarm while you are home is one thing, but what if you’re away? If a glassbreak sensor goes off while you are out of the house, you want to know that your sensors are only alerting you to actual events. Having to drop everything to check in on your property, whether that means looking at a live video feed or calling neighbors, is an added hassle that you don’t need.

If you have your home security system professionally monitored, you may also receive a call to confirm or cancel the alarm. If you are uncertain that an alarm can be canceled due to an error, it can result in the dispatch of authorities. Excessive false alarms, depending on where you live, could lead to fines or being placed on a “do not respond” list by authorities.

Alarm center verification, homeowner notification, and dispatch of the proper authorities are all vital to ensuring everyone knows whether there is a serious risk to the property in question. With false alarms, there can be a lot of stressful moments and worries over whether the home is truly being broken into.

Reducing the Sensitivity of a Glass Break Sensor

With the right security system, glassbreak sensors shouldn’t go off too often. If a homeowner finds that their glassbreak sensor keeps going off, and they feel like there are too many false alarms, there are some things they can do. The following are some of the first items to consider:

• If the device is battery-operated, do the ones installed need to be replaced?

• Is the glassbreak sensor nearing the end of its life expectancy?

• Is the sensor installed correctly and mounted on an appropriate surface?

• Are there any easily replaceable parts that might be defective?

• Would it help to reset the device, or disconnect and reconnect the device to the system?

When those issues have been addressed, it may be possible to adjust the sensor sensitivity. Most glassbreak sensors let you flip a switch (or switches) directly on the device, sometimes inside the battery compartment, to reduce the sensitivity from high to low. This can change the detection range from an approximate 20ft radius down to a 5ft radius in some devices. This can render the sensor ineffective, meaning it may fail to go off when it’s needed. If the sensitivity is turned down, make to test it to be sure it is functioning properly.

Ask the Security Company About Sensor Replacement

If troubleshooting the device and lowering the sensitivity of the glassbreak sensor doesn’t resolve the issue, it may be time to replace the sensor. These can wear out over time, and they may not be of the quality that the homeowner is looking for. Additionally, with new technological advancements, the accuracy and effectiveness of glassbreak sensors are expected to improve in newer devices.

Want to be sure your smart home security system is professionally monitored 24/7 by a company with a Five Diamond certified alarm response center? Contact Brinks Home™ today to speak with a Security Consultant who can ensure you get a security system that is customized for the specific needs of your home.