We are away on vacation and last night around 10:45 PM, we got a notification from our ADT system about a window sensor going off on a back window.
Our home has a camera system, but there is a blind spot, and I couldn’t see anything suspicious. I don’t even know which window it was because it was labeled as ‘back window 6’ on the app.
Police came and checked the house but didn’t find anything. The ADT app now says the window is closed, and there was no motion triggered inside the house.
Could this have just been a false alarm? I read that weather can sometimes cause this, and it was around 20°F at the time, though it has been colder before without issues.
I have a lot of anxiety about this, and it is making me dread going back home. We live in a pretty isolated area, which already makes me uneasy. Has anyone experienced something like this before?
@HomegroundSleuth
Could be a low battery issue on the sensor. A CR123A battery is what most ADT sensors use. You can get a two-pack at Target for about $8. If you call ADT, you can ask them to put that sensor on test mode until you’re back, so it won’t trigger a police response while you’re gone, but your system will still function normally.
It depends on the sensor type, but typically anywhere from one to three years. Energizer batteries are recommended, but Panasonic and Duracell work fine too. When replacing, remove the old battery and wait a full minute before inserting the new one to let the sensor reset properly.
False alarms happen sometimes. To be extra safe, having a combination of motion sensors, cameras covering all possible entry points, and indoor cameras can help give you peace of mind. The first false alarm is always nerve-wracking, but it’s a good way to figure out any weak spots in your system and improve where needed.
If it’s really cold, that could be a factor. Sometimes the shift in temperature can mess with sensors and cause them to briefly lose connection. Wind and even vibrations from nearby traffic (or trains if you live near tracks) can also cause false alarms.
If your panel allows it, you should be able to check the battery levels of each sensor. If you want to replace them, Amazon sells CR123A batteries at a good price. I usually go with Voniko batteries for smart home devices.
@Cyrus
It was really cold that night, and we got an ice storm the next day. We’re home now, and I checked—turns out that window is partially visible on our camera, so I don’t think anything actually happened. The magnet looks fine, but I’ll replace the battery just to be safe. Thanks for the advice.
Wireless alarm systems tend to have more false alarms than wired ones. It might be worth checking if the window sensor and magnet are still aligned properly. If they have shifted even slightly, that could cause issues.
I work in the alarm industry, and trust me, alarms go off for no reason more often than you’d think. If nothing else triggered—no motion, no glass break sensor—it’s almost certainly a false alarm.
It could be a false alarm, especially if the sensor is attached with adhesive tape. Over time, the tape can loosen, leading to these kinds of issues. If nothing else in the house was triggered, it’s most likely nothing to worry about.
Also, some cities charge a false alarm fee if the police respond to an unnecessary call, so you may want to check if you’ll be billed for this one.