Quick tips on how to sanitise your Alarm Keypad

Cleaning and disinfecting have become a major part of our 2020 lives and while we wouldn’t normally recommend you to sanitise your alarm keypad, it is a touch point in your home or workplace, so we’ve compiled a few quick do’s and don’ts for cleaning your alarm system safely.

It’s important to note at this point your keypad is always installed indoors and as such it isn’t waterproof.

If you do wish to sanitise your keypad for added peace of mind, we recommend the following:

• Take a folded piece of kitchen roll or cloth
• Spray disinfectant spray onto the kitchen roll / cloth
• Dab the kitchen roll / cloth to remove excess liquid
• Alternatively, you can use disinfectant wipes

When cleaning the keypad, gently wipe down using your cloth / kitchen paper. If your keypad has buttons, softly clean it without pressing down on the buttons. Be especially careful over your panic buttons.

When you’re done, dispose of your wipe / kitchen roll and leave the keypad to air dry.

Take note to avoid:

• Never spray disinfectant directly onto your keypad
• Never use bleach on your keypad

As with any electrical item, do not use bleach or disinfectant spray straight onto your keypad as it could cause long term damage. Disinfecting your keypad or sensors would only be necessary if someone has been in contact with them. If you’re doing a regular clean, a normal dust cloth should be sufficient. 

Remember you can always use your app or a KeyFob to arm or disarm your system. This may be preferable for the first few days after you have received an engineer visit, especially if you have someone more high-risk to Covid-19. According to the HSE website, the virus can last on items for a number of days, so your app / KeyFob can help give you peace of mind knowing your home is secure against an intrusion and your family aren’t interacting with areas that someone outside of your bubble has been in contact with.

Now that the clocks have gone back, we’re in the busiest period of the year for burglars. Remember to stay vigilant and arm your system, even when you’re home! Burglaries increase around 20% after the clocks go back according to Án Garda Síochána.