Residents were warned to make sure their home alarm systems are always charged, as load-shedding continues.
“Burglaries and robberies are most likely to happen as opportunistic criminals take advantage of load-shedding,” said Wierdabrug Sector 2 CPF spokesperson Hugo Erasmus.
“This is because your gate motor and alarm system could be down. Porch lights sometimes work as a deterrent, but criminals will always exploit the situation when they are off.”
Residents with generators should always ensure they charge their alarm systems, gate motors and garage doors.
“Also check that your cell phone is always charged in case of an emergency; be vigilant, ensure all your doors and windows are shut.”
He also said residents should keep in contact with neighbours as well as their local CPFs in case there are any incidents.
“A stable and correctly programmed system – coupled with a battery that is in good condition – will continue to protect the premises during a power outage,” said Fidelity ADT communications manager Charnel Hattingh.
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“It doesn’t matter whether the outage is because of load-shedding or not.”
The only time it may not be functioning properly is if there is a technical issue – or the battery power is low.
“Most modern alarm systems have a back-up battery pack that activates automatically when there is a power failure,” she said.
“There are a number of practical steps one can take to make sure security is not compromised during power cuts.”
These include making sure systems have an adequate battery supply and that all automated gates and doors are secured.
“Also, remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to your security provider or the police.”
Hattingh said, with the inconvenience of lights going out at night due to power cuts, candles and touch-lights are handy to have.
Homeowners should also consider installing LED technology, she said.
“It is integrated into an alarm system’s wiring and automatically switches on for a maximum of 15 minutes during power outages.”
If there is an additional battery pack, the small non-intrusive LED lights can stay on for the duration of the power outage – or a maximum of 40 hours – without draining the primary alarm battery.
According to Hattingh, the most important things to remember during a power cut are:
– It is important your alarm system has an adequate battery supply. Batteries should be checked regularly.
– Alarms should be checked during extended power outages to keep systems running.
– Power cuts can impact fire systems and fire control systems. These also need to be checked regularly.
– The more frequent use of gas and candles can increase the risk of fire. Home fire extinguishers should always be on hand.
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