Power outages are an unfortunate reality in many parts of the world, and load shedding has become a common practice to manage electricity demand. While load shedding aims to prevent widespread blackouts and ensure a stable power supply, it also poses significant challenges in various aspects of our daily lives, especially when it comes to home security.

We will explore the effects that load shedding can have on your home security, highlight the risks it poses, and provide practical solutions to safeguard your property during power outages.

Vulnerability to Intruders

When the power goes out, your home security system may be compromised. Without electricity, alarms, surveillance cameras, and motion sensor lights may become non-functional, leaving your property vulnerable to intruders.

Alarm systems typically rely on a constant power supply to operate effectively. When the power is cut off during load shedding, the alarm system may lose power, and if it doesn’t have a backup power source, such as a battery or a generator, it may stop working altogether. In these cases, the alarm system will not be able to trigger alarms, send alerts, or perform any other functions until the power is restored. Load shedding further affects alarm systems and the alarm may at times go off due to a Power Surge, System Malfunction, and  Incorrect Programming. Even when the power comes back on.

Criminals often take advantage of these situations, knowing that security measures are weakened or disabled.

Solutions

Backup Power Systems: Invest in alternative power sources such as uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, backup generators, or solar power systems. These can provide temporary power during outages, ensuring the functionality of critical security equipment.

Manual Security Measures: Implement manual security measures, such as reinforced doors and windows, sturdy locks, and security bars, to fortify your home’s physical barriers against potential break-ins.

Security System Upgrades: Consider upgrading your security system to include battery-powered or solar-powered components. Backup batteries can provide temporary power to essential devices, such as alarm systems, surveillance cameras, and access control systems, during load shedding.

Lack of Communication

During load shedding, power disruptions can also affect your ability to communicate with emergency services or your neighbours. Traditional landline telephones, cordless phones, and internet-based communication systems may be rendered useless without electricity.

Solutions

Mobile Phones: Keep your mobile phones charged and maintain a backup power bank to ensure you can make emergency calls or contact authorities when needed.

Neighbourhood Support: Establish a network of communication among neighbours to keep each other informed during power outages. This can be done through social media groups, instant messaging apps, or even a neighbourhood watch program.

Diminished Lighting

Load shedding often plunges neighbourhoods into darkness, creating an ideal environment for criminals to operate. Inadequate lighting not only compromises your home security but also poses safety risks for your family members when navigating the property.

Solutions

Battery-powered Lighting: Have a supply of battery-powered flashlights, lanterns, and emergency lights readily available to provide temporary lighting during power outages.

Solar-Powered Lights: Install solar-powered outdoor lights to ensure some level of illumination around your property even during load shedding.

Impact on Automated Entry Systems

Automated entry systems, such as electric gates and garage doors, rely on electricity to function. During load shedding, these systems may fail, leaving your property exposed and making it difficult for you to enter or exit your home safely.

Solutions

Battery Backup: A battery backup system is an essential component for ensuring the continuous operation of an alarm system, especially during power outages or load shedding. Having a battery backup system for your alarm system provides peace of mind by ensuring that your security system remains active during power outages. It allows the alarm system to function as intended, providing protection and alerts even in the absence of mains electricity.

Manual Override: Install manual override mechanisms for electric gates and garage doors, allowing you to operate them manually during power outages.

Physical Barriers: Consider installing physical barriers, such as gates, fences, or bollards, to reinforce the security of your property in case automated systems are rendered inoperable.

By taking proactive measures, such as investing in backup power systems, implementing manual security measures, maintaining communication alternatives, and ensuring adequate lighting, you can mitigate the risks associated with load shedding and protect your home and loved ones effectively. At LockFront Automation, our qualified technicians can advise on how best to prepare your home security for load shedding. Ensuring you and your loved ones remain safe and secure even when the lights are off.

Stay prepared and prioritize your home security to safeguard your property, even in the face of power outages. Regularly check load shedding schedules provided by utility companies. By staying informed, you can plan ahead, taking necessary precautions to secure your home during power outages.

Get a quick quote