\u201cMany people are under the incorrect assumption that their home alarm system is deactivated when the power supply is interrupted. However if you have a stable and correctly programmed system coupled with a battery that is in good condition, it will continue to protect the premises during a power outage \u2013 regardless if the outage is because of load-shedding or not,\u201d says Charnel Hattingh, National Marketing and Communications Manager at Fidelity ADT.<\/p>\n
The only time it may not function correctly is if there is a technical issue, or the battery power is low. \u201cMost modern alarm systems have a back-up battery pack that activates automatically when there is a power failure,\u201d says Hattingh.<\/p>\n
She adds that there are a number of practical steps that can be taken to ensure security is not compromised during power cuts.<\/p>\n
Some of these include ensuring that the alarm system has an adequate battery supply, that all automated gates and doors are secured and lastly to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to your security provider or the South African Police Service (SAPS).<\/p>\n
With the added inconvenience of the lights going out at night due to power cuts, candles and touch-lights are handy alternatives. Hattingh says home and business-owners should consider installing Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology, which is integrated into the alarm system\u2019s wiring and automatically switches on for a maximum of 15 minutes when there is a power outage.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there is an additional battery pack, the small, non-intrusive LED lights can stay on for the duration of the power outage \u2013 or a maximum of 40 hours \u2013 without draining the primary alarm battery,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n
The most important tips to remember about being prepared for a power cut, says Hattingh, are:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 It is important that your alarm system has an adequate battery supply. Batteries should be checked regularly.<\/p>\n \u2022 Alarms should be checked during extended power outages to keep systems running.<\/p>\n \u2022 Power cuts can impact on fire systems and fire control systems; so these also need to be checked regularly.<\/p>\n \u2022 The more frequent use of gas and candles can increase the risk of fire and home fire extinguishers should be on hand.<\/p>\n \u2022 Above all remain vigilant during a power cut; be on the look-out for any suspicious activity and report this to us or the SAPS immediately.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hawks members sent to jail for fraud<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n WATCH: The Place of Refuge \u2013 Once a vibrant village, now a ghost town<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n WATCH: Robbery caught on video, police looking for suspects<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Three counts of poaching in one week \u2013 and the toll keeps rising<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2022 Save our standby number (072 248 3855) and send us a WhatsApp message with the words \u201cAdd me\u201d to be added to our broadcast list.<\/p>\n \u2022 Like us on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>, follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2022 Subscribe to our\u00a0YouTube channel<\/a>.<\/p>\nOther News:<\/h3>\n
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