When your home has security equipment installed, it is easy to fall into a sense of ease. You might forget that you must also test the alarm systems regularly to ensure they work properly. We will examine how often you should test them and some situations that might merit further testing.

Most security authorities recommend you test your alarm system at least once a month. It may seem like this is a lot, but this helps ensure that everything is working adequately. There are rules that you can follow when it comes to testing your alarm system, and these include:

• Test your security system after you set it up for the first time: if you choose to have a DIY security system, it is essential to note that it will include instructions on how to test the system as part of the installation process.
• Test the security system after service technicians conduct work in your home: Whenever anyone works inside your home for any reason, it could interfere with your alarm system, and they could do this intentionally or unintentionally. Therefore, you should conduct a quick system test after the technician leaves to ensure everything is functioning correctly.
• Test the system after you perform major modifications or renovations in your home: after you have had your security system for a while, you will start to understand your system better. However, it can be extremely easy to accidentally damage a connection or system component without even realising it. You would not want to discover an issue with your security system after an intruder has already entered your home.
• Test the system whenever there are significant changes to phone or internet service: whenever anything happens that might affect the system’s ability to communicate with the monitoring centre, then you should double-check that everything is okay.

How to test alarm systems

Taking care of your alarm system is simple, but you may be wondering about the steps you should take when testing the system. Luckily, we will discuss some of these steps to make it easier for you.

Home check-ups

There are simple home checks that you can conduct between professional maintenance to ensure that your systems are running optimally. Doing them will alert you to any faults the system might have had earlier. Finding these faults also allows you to get your systems repaired and uphold the security of your home.

Regarding batteries, it is recommended that you check your system at least every six months. However, if you have an older system, then it is advised that you check your system every three months or so. You should check that the batteries are working correctly in all devices, including the CCTV and burglar alarms. If you have not done so, you should change any batteries you have not replaced in a while, as you should change them every 3 to 5 years at a minimum.

You should check security cameras to ensure that they are positioned correctly and that you clean the camera lens with the help of an appropriate lens cleaner or wipe every few months, as this ensures that you have clear and good footage quality.

If you have a sensor-operated burglar alarm, it is recommended that you go from room to room to check that the sensor can still pick up on movement throughout the house. You simply need to walk around the room and check that the red light is visible on the sensor and that it comes on when moving.

Professional maintenance

The most important thing you can do to ensure that your home is well-protected is professional maintenance. You should have a professional service consultant look at your security measures, ensuring that your security is upheld. Professional care is also vital as it assists in extending the lifespan of your security system. You should call a professional annually to perform diagnostics. During this annual professional assessment, the professional service consultant will carry out the following tasks:

• Battery checks
• Loose wire checks
• Check that signals are received at the monitoring centre
• Check for damaged or worn parts which may need replacing
• Test that panic buttons are functioning

The tests that a professional service consultant carries out are more comprehensive than the tests that you are capable of carrying out; therefore, you cannot afford to miss them. Professional maintenance ensures that someone fully qualified and experienced can fix or improve your home security and safety.

Conclusion

Testing your alarm systems may take some time to test all the components. However, it will be worth it as you know that your home still receives the kind of protection you signed up for. You should add security system tests to your monthly home maintenance and safety checklists to ensure you do not forget.

See the 5 Most Common Causes of False Security Alarms and How to Prevent Them.