Because of this incident and many others, we want to discuss the importance of reducing false smoke alarms. It’s necessary to spread awareness about smoke inhalation related deaths as this is the number one cause of death related to fires.

How can you identify what is triggering your alarm?

A smoke detector needs regular health inspections to work properly. Most people know that overcooked food, low batteries, or a loose wire can cause a smoke detector to go off. Fortunately, these false alarms can often be prevented with good ventilation, changing the batteries every 5-10 years, and checking the system annually for faulty wires. Nonetheless, there are several other external reasons that can trigger a false smoke alarm. These are six of the less common triggers to look for:

1. Proximity to cold air returns

Smoke detectors are sensitive devices and temperature changes can trigger them. It’s not the first thing you should check but it might be helpful in explaining why an alarm is triggered. If your device is placed close to a door or window, cold air or dust particles from outside can trigger the sensor. This is specially true about false smoke alarms during the night.

Kidde Fire Safety explains in detail why this happens in their article: “Why do smoke alarms go off in the middle of the night?” Their post describes how a battery can develop internal resistance and trigger an alarm when the temperature around the alarm decreases.

2. Proximity to high humidity

Has your smoke detector gone off while you are in the shower? It sounds like the alarm might be too close to your bathroom. The bathroom’s humidity and steam from hot running water, might be causing this false alarm. You can try relocating the device further away from the bathroom and test if that helps reduce/eliminate this trigger.

3. Insects are crawling into your the cavities of the alarm

This is an interesting trigger because it’s unexpected. Many of us love insects only from a distance and find it difficult to believe that our homes have more than a couple of small spiders. Well, this is perfect because small insects can fit into the small cavities of the smoke detector and trigger the sensors. Luckily, this issue becomes a problem more often during the fall and it can be resolved by opening the smoke detector, checking inside, and cleaning the device.

You can read more about how to reduce this trigger in our blog: “Can spiders set your alarm off?”

4. Build up of dust or dirt

Internal and external accumulation of dust or dirt in a smoke alarm is normal. It’s easy to forget about these devices when they are not making a noise. However, dust can also trigger a false alarm. This is because smoke detectors react similarly to dust and smoke particles. The good news is that a semiannual cleaning of the device can be a solution to prevent this trigger.

Additionally, if your smoke detector is connected to your burglar alarm, this cleaning can also be done when your alarm company provides maintenance to your alarm. If you check both devices on the same dates, it’ll be easier to remember when the last inspection/testing was performed and if the batteries of your smoke detector need to be replaced.

5. Strong chemical odors are being detected by your alarm

Chemicals in cleaning products, ammonia, or paint fumes can also become triggers. Most of the time, this false alarm resumes after ventilating the area. If the problem persists, it might be helpful to reset the smoke detector.

6. Furnace/fireplace is turned on for the first time.

When turning on the fireplace or furnace for the first time during the season, dusty elements can create smoke. It might be difficult to prevent this false alarm but should be easy to eliminate by waiting for the smoke to dissipate and reseating the alarm.

When was the last time you tested your smoke detector?

It is important to test the device every six months to make sure they are working properly

In most cases, the fact that your smoke detector makes noise it’s a sign that your device is in good condition and responding to external aggressors. Unfortunately, like any other device in the house, a smoke detector can have minor glitches. The good news is that most can be prevented or resolved within minutes.

If you have already checked all these triggers and the problem persists, you should also consider upgrading your alarm. As the detector gets older, it becomes less efficient and you don’t want to risk having a system that doesn’t work well.

It’s understandable to get irritated when you can’t pinpoint the reason for the false alarm right away, but don’t give up! Remember that no one should ever live in a home without a working smoke detector or delay testing it regularly

The post 6 Less Common Reasons your Smoke Detector is Set off appeared first on VinTech Systems.

Are You Cyber Secure for 2021?

By Emily Miller

What are other ways to restrict network access?

What is 2FA?

Simple Steps with Big Results

The best thing you can do this year to secure you and your property, is taking small steps to ensure that your network and therefore all your devices are protected from hackers. With complex passwords, updated software, encrypted messages, and a multi-stream security approach, you can rest assured that your internet- and therefore your property itself- is secure for the year to come.

About the author

Emily has had a love for travel since she was a little girl. She has visited places all over the US and even to a few other countries. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 and travel restrictions, she has been spending more time at home. Nonetheless, she now uses her experiences to write about travel, home safety, and cyber security.

The post Are You Cyber Secure for 2021? appeared first on VinTech Systems.

In part 1 of this blog we discussed helpful steps to avoid a confrontation during a home invasion. But what happens when confronting an intruder is the only option?  Practice these 7 tips to help yo confront an intruder in case of a break-in.

Remain calm.

If you have a panic button, press it to alert the monitoring station you need help. They will dispatch police immediately.While you wait for the police to arrive, make no sudden moves. Additionally, avoid looking at the subject’s eyes. Direct eye contact can cause a violent reaction from the criminal. They don’t want you to identify them if they get caught!

Hold your hands up to shoulder level.

Have you ever heard of the Hands Up Robbery exercise? It looks like an act of submission but you can use it in your favor when it’s time to defend yourself.

Natural Form of Speech.

Try to speak as normal as possible and relay your compliance. A criminal wants to feel in control, do your best to make them believe they are.

Protecting your possessions is a second priority.

As distressed or angry as you might be, its crucial to look after your well-being rather than your possessions. Agree to give the subject the items he requests. Not all things can be replaced, especially those with sentimental value but when your life is in danger, they come second.

Don’t get caught up in a weapon dilemma.

Truth is, if you are not comfortable using a gun, it will only work against you.  This is the case with any self-defense item. How so? Simply put, if you are overpowered, any weapon you have can be used against you.

Pepper Spray.

The use of pepper spray is legal in all 50 states but in the city of Chicago some security devices have restrictions.  Find more information for the state of Illinois. Proper training to use pepper spray is recommended.

Fight Back.

If you feel your life is in danger and you need to fight back, show no fear, and use anything to defend yourself.

We cannot be certain of what happened to the family mentioned at the beginning of this blog. We can only be sure that they did what they could to save their lives and so should we. A monitored security system and panic button are excellent tools to protect yourself in a perilous situation.

The post How to Safely Escape a Home Invasion Part 2 appeared first on VinTech Systems.

I still remember the way I felt the day I learned the horrific news that a 26-year-old woman had been allegedly stabbed and sexually assaulted in her own home in Willowbrook.

I immediately shared this news with my team and we discussed ways in which we could help our community and clients feel safe. We reached out to our clients and advised them to arm their security systems at home and to keep their remote control panic button close.

Recently, we learned a few other homes had been invaded in different parts of Illinois. The fact is most people don’t know what to do during a home invasion. Most of us think  it won’t happen to us.

This morning, I came across a blog shared by a fellow ASIS member – Jordan Frankel (Security Experts Inc.)  and I just knew I needed to share these safety tips provided by a global security expert with our beloved clients and readers.

Read below for precautionary measures to reduce the risk of being a victim:

1. Reinforce your door frames and hinges.

Installing a security door brace that withstands a minimum of 1800 pounds of force will go a long way in preventing thugs from entering your home.

2. Treat all ground floor windows with glass protection film.

These protective window coatings can significantly slow down an intruder, supplying you the precious seconds needed to call the police or retreat to a predetermined safe room, such as a basement or locking closet with a reinforced door.

3. Lock windows and doors at all times.

Intruders will find any open windows, open doors or garages to get in your home. Make sure to always lock all windows, doors and garages to keep your home safe.

4. Install outdoor, high-intensity LED motion lighting

underneath a minimum of two roof-line eaves. Motion detection lighting is a fantastic way to startle and deter intruders.

5. Keep your alarm system set day and night.

Alarm systems are important components of any home security plan. However, a recent study suggests that up to 25% of homeowners neglect to set their alarm systems. No matter if its day or night, make sure you and your family members set your home’s alarm system.

6. In addition, ensure everyone is familiar with how to operate the keypad.

Most home security systems have a panic button located on the keypad. Knowing how to activate the panic button in an emergency can yield numerous benefits, including signaling the police to respond with higher priority than normal, which can speed up the overall response time. Alarm keypads also have the ability to display the zone or area of the home that was breached. Informing the 911 dispatcher of the intruder’s location on the premises can be extremely helpful to the police in apprehending the intruder.

7. Never open the door to a stranger.

If you aren’t expecting that person that claims to be a service technician, delivery man or police officer, do not open your door when they come knocking. Instead, ask for their name and the name of their employer, and then call the company or agency directly to verify their identity. If you suspect foul play of any kind, call 911 immediately.

Thank you Security Sensei for these valuable tips to prevent a home invasion!

For more home invasion tips, visit our blog How to Safely Escape a Home Invasion Part 1. 

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