'My neighbour's flashing security alarm is triggering me - I'm taking action'

23 July 2023 , 15:02

513     0

The woman's migraines have been triggered by the alarm (stock image) (Image: Shutterstock / John-Fs-Pic)

A neighbour installing a security alarm isn't normally a problem for most people - unless you're a thief - but one woman realised it was bothering her for another reason entirely.

The neighbour-in-question had recently installed a home security alarm that was flashing a "bright blue-white light" - and it was triggering her vomit-inducing migraines. Taking to Mumsnet, the woman, who remained anonymous, asked fellow forum users what action she should take.

In a recent post on the website, the mum explained that she lives in a cul-de-sac and the neighbour who lives in the house directly opposite her, to the right, had installed the troublesome security alarm.

She explained: "I'm not sure if it's a newly fitted alarm or it's a 'thing' that's going on with it but for the last week it's been flashing a bright blue-white light.

"Both myself and my daughter get migraine with auras and vomiting that are triggered by flashing lights - camera flashes, dappled sunshine through trees etc and we've both had two migraines this week since their alarm has started doing this. Since perimenopause, I've been getting less, one or two a year so two in a week is unusual.

'My selfish neighbour stole our parking spot - my revenge means he'll regret it'

"Is the flashing a normal thing for home alarms? It's quite a significant flash not just a little blinking 'I'm working and switched on' light type of thing."

Speaking in jest, she added that she was "contemplating scaling their drainpipe in the dead of night to put some duct tape over it," so asked others for advice.

One person suggested she go speak to her neighbour and ask whether the flashing light could be turned off. They added: "Or if you can ask about duct tape or similar or get black out curtains."

The woman responded, saying: "I've got blackout curtains and when they're closed I can't see it but to close them or put the bin out or leave the house after sunset I'm having to do a heads down, shield my eyeline don't look palaver [sic]."

Another said: "Lots of them do flash constantly- supposedly as a deterrent- I have a flashy light, which means I have a security system, don't rob this house. I really don't know if they can be turned off- you can ask, but if not, not sure what [your] next step will be."

A fourth commented: "My neighbour's does this too - and has done for years. It used to blind me in the night when I was up feeding my [daughter]. Probably wouldn't scale any drainpipes, but it does sound like it might be a permanent thing."

What would you do in this situation? Let us know in the comment section below.

Ariane Sohrabi-Shiraz