user3626: I've made 3 programs. One is written in python, c++ processing and bash. 
Everything seems to be okay but then sometimes I get a signal from the arduino that activates the function to lower down the volume on the python code listening for serial data. This is sometimes random but it seems that I can reproduce the same behavior when I turn the light on. I can cause the same disruption if I wave my hands over it quickly.
How can I filter this? I know that IR is part of the electromagnetic spectrum in which the visible light takes part. The sensor is facing upward for a type of omnidirectional receptor. I've placed a TV IR blackish cover over it but with the same results. Do I need to use the function to hash decode the incoming signal? I suppose that it needs a simple circuit as any other sensor.
I want to discard the possibility of a random activation in my code.
Edit:
Taken into consideration the answers until now I can confirm that this is part of a physical phenomena due to the distance between my light and the device. 
As for the solution to my volume problem It seems that I used "0" in the same statement as the ir code I remapped in the python code. It turned out to be part of the IRlib library of the arduino code that returns a "0" when it encounters an unknown signal. (due to protocol specification? - out of useful range? )
The thing is that I can change the if statement value for other than "0" but that won't stop it from returning "0" and that's a disadvantage. The solution that came to me is simply intercepting the signal and use continue to skip this. 
Is there any alternative to this?

user6740: Yes, a light bulb will put out some infrared light. 
Decoding remote control signals isn't that hard - there is a tutorial at instructables - http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Easiest-Way-to-Use-Any-IR-Remote-with-Ardiuno/?ALLSTEPS
This also means you can tell the difference between different buttons.
P.S. - when posting in this forum, it helps to include your code and your wiring.

user11554: What kind of light bulb is it?  Try using e.g. an LED instead of incandescent; you might get less IR signal.
Having a more complicated signal that is decoded by the receiver reduces your false positives.

3626: <p>I've made 3 programs. One is written in python, c++ processing and bash. </p>

<p>Everything seems to be okay but then sometimes I get a signal from the arduino that activates the function to lower down the volume on the python code listening for serial data. This is sometimes random but it seems that I can reproduce the same behavior when I turn the light on. I can cause the same disruption if I wave my hands over it quickly.</p>

<p>How can I filter this? I know that IR is part of the electromagnetic spectrum in which the visible light takes part. The sensor is facing upward for a type of omnidirectional receptor. I've placed a TV IR blackish cover over it but with the same results. Do I need to use the function to hash decode the incoming signal? I suppose that it needs a simple circuit as any other sensor.</p>

<p>I want to discard the possibility of a random activation in my code.</p>

<p>Edit:</p>

<p>Taken into consideration the answers until now I can confirm that this is part of a physical phenomena due to the distance between my light and the device. </p>

<p>As for the solution to my volume problem It seems that I used "0" in the same statement as the ir code I remapped in the python code. It turned out to be part of the IRlib library of the arduino code that returns a "0" when it encounters an unknown signal. (due to protocol specification? - out of useful range? )</p>

<p>The thing is that I can change the if statement value for other than "0" but that won't stop it from returning "0" and that's a disadvantage. The solution that came to me is simply intercepting the signal and use continue to skip this. </p>

<p>Is there any alternative to this?</p>
 6740: <p>Yes, a light bulb will put out some infrared light. </p>

<p>Decoding remote control signals isn't that hard - there is a tutorial at instructables - <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Easiest-Way-to-Use-Any-IR-Remote-with-Ardiuno/?ALLSTEPS" rel="nofollow">http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Easiest-Way-to-Use-Any-IR-Remote-with-Ardiuno/?ALLSTEPS</a></p>

<p>This also means you can tell the difference between different buttons.</p>

<p>P.S. - when posting in this forum, it helps to include your code and your wiring.</p>
 11554: <p>What kind of light bulb is it?  Try using e.g. an LED instead of incandescent; you might get less IR signal.<br>
Having a more complicated signal that is decoded by the receiver reduces your false positives.</p>
