How to stay safe during load shedding

Get your candles and your torches ready because there may be more load shedding on the cards for a long time to come. With power cuts happening all across the country at random times during the course of the day, it can cause people to feel unsafe in their own homes, especially at night. Some private security companies said that load shedding can wreak havoc with alarm systems and the signals sent to your security provider’s control room.

Many people believe that their home alarm system is deactivated when the power supply is interrupted, however, all modern alarms should have a backup battery pack that automatically activates when the electricity is cut.

When load shedding happens in your home,  keep in mind that it can increase the possibility of a false alarm activation and even though you might have a backup battery pack for your alarm system, it is important that your test your alarm on a regular basis.

Testing your alarm is a simple procedure which will take less than five minutes of your time. Make sure the testing is done as early as possible so that technicians can address any problems that they may find.

During power cuts burglars see one thing – opportunity. They are the most comfortable in the dark and can easily break into your home without being seen, especially if your alarm system has gone haywire. That’s why it is important to remember to lock all your doors and make sure your windows are closed and secure. Light candles and torches ton provide some light, but never leave an open flame unattended!

If you don’t want to be caught unawares, you should consider installing LED technology which is combined into the alarm systems wiring and will automatically switch on for a maximum of 15 minutes when the electricity cuts out.

When the dreaded load shedding happens, it’s simply inconvenient and it could be potentially dangerous too! Remember to check the schedule ahead of time to make sure you are safe and secure in your home. 

For a professional home security system contact SIS - Security & Investigation Services, they can provide you with a variety of services from guarding and farm protection to CCTV off site and alarm monitoring.

Written By: Christine Romans