Walk the perimeter of your home before going to sleep to verify that all your doors and windows are properly locked. Don't arm the system until you conduct the check to prevent accidentally setting it off. Inspect the door and window sensors to ensure they are all properly placed and are not coming loose.
Inspect your other security peripherals prior to turning your system on to ensure your security cameras are aimed correctly if you have them and that your security lighting is turning on when you want it to. Arm the system once your full inspection is complete.
Check the system panel after the system is armed. The panel will show you if there is a security breach, the current system status and if there are any current concerns.
Log into your security account online if your system allows for online monitoring. Once you are logged into your account, you can inspect the current status of all sensors and devices in the home. This is very useful when you are spending a lot of time away from the house, such as a vacation or business trip.
Call your alarm monitoring service anytime you are away from home and need an update on the current status of your system. They can inform you of any discrepancies or concerns.