Spring, warmer weather, and the holiday season - is your security system ready?
Category Advice
The change in season brings changing weather patterns to all parts of the country. Depending on where you are located, it can involve bouts of strong winds or even extended periods of increased temperatures. All of this has serious implications for any home security system, and need to be considered when doing system maintenance.
"It ultimately boils down to testing your system today so that you can have peace of mind that it is properly working when you need it tomorrow. A proper system once-over is also very useful now before the December holidays arrive; we often get panicked phone calls from customers who only realise their system is faulty when they are about to walk out the front door and go on holiday," says Charnel Hattingh, Head of Marketing and Communications at Fidelity ADT.
A good start is to take a look at your garden and the area surrounding your property. Identify any trees that might be overgrown and in need of a trim, or any plants that have grown to block your outdoor movement sensors.
"Pay attention to anything that could damage your security system when a sudden gust of wind blows a tree over and knocks down your electric fence. It is also a good idea to check the tensioning of the electric fence as it can shrink or expand depending on colder or warmer weather and lead to false alarms," says Hattingh.
Another bit of advice, she says is to contact your security provider immediately if you have experienced any kind of storm damage. "Technicians can do a quick and easy test to see if your security system suffered any kind of damage because of the stormy weather, and recommend what fixes are needed."
Any conversation about security systems and maintenance should also include the topic of load shedding. Hattingh urges homeowners to test battery backups as they play a critical role in keeping the system running and making sure you are properly protected when the power goes out. "Batteries also have a finite lifespan which is affected by constant power surges and interruptions."
Hattingh suggests giving your security systems a good once-over as soon as possible. Contact your security provider and put the alarm and panic buttons on test, and book a technical service call if necessary.
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"This test is of the utmost importance. If the system is not functioning properly the signal may not reach your security company and they will then not know there is an emergency at your property and won't respond. You also need to know that your system will still function when bad weather strikes," she says.
"The best is to start at the perimeter of your property and work your way in. Think like a criminal and evaluate whether your fencing or wall, garden, windows, doors, shed, or garage have weaknesses a criminal can exploit or which can be exacerbated by heavy rain or winds.
According to the Seeff Property Group you should take time now to get ready so that you do not end up working harder during the holidays.
Seeff offers the following tips to prepare your home for the holidays:
Prepare a holiday checklist. Putting together a list of things to do could enable you to enjoy more well-deserved downtime. There are also many things that you may not think about and planning ahead can avoid problems later.
Spring clean early. Everybody wants to kick back during the holidays and chances are that your housekeeper or domestic worker will also be taking their annual leave during this time. So, start now with a spring clean to ensure you have less to do over the holidays.
Clear out unwanted goods. You can box up any unwanted goods and donate them to local charities or you could make use of Seeff's Home2Home Campaign. Simply contact your nearest Seeff branch to find out how you can donate goods via the campaign to other homes in need and charities.
Plan meals in advance. Draw up a menu and make as many freezer meals as possible. Don't leave the shopping too late, especially if you are planning festive meals. It can be disappointing when they run out of stock of favourite festive season foods.
Stock up on the basics. Shop in advance for basics such as toiletries, cleaning materials and dry goods. This may mean fewer outings, or you could start shopping online for convenience and time saving.
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Do your Christmas gift shopping and wrapping early. This way you ensure that you are not faced with out-of-stock situations, and you will not run out of wrapping paper. Check that your tree and decorations are still in a good condition and replace as needed.
Prep for visitors. If you are expecting visitors for the holidays, start getting their room or sleeping arrangements ready. If you have a guest room or suite, get the bedding washed and the room cleaned and stocked.
Get your car serviced. If you are travelling for the holidays, get your vehicle booked in for a service and tyre check. If you have a caravan, check and make the necessary repairs and replacements. Fill your gas bottles and purchase and source non-perishable goods in advance.
Check your home security system. Make sure all windows and door mechanisms, including garage doors, are in good working order. Check your alarm system. Check all exterior lighting. Consider installing timers, especially if you are going away.
Check your household and vehicle insurance. Read the fine print to ensure you are adequately covered in the event of a break-in or other potential mishaps over the holidays. Increase your cover if necessary.
Prepare for load shedding. If you do not yet have an inverter or generator, it might be a good time to get this done because we are likely to face blackouts over the holiday season. A basic system can at least keep the television, internet, security and a few lights on.
Prepare a safety checklist if you are going away. List all of the items to check, from switching off the geyser, stove, plugs and pool pump to putting a timer on a few lights. Include house keys and access arrangements in the event of an emergency while you are away.
Alert your Neighbourhood Watch, security company and neighbours. If you are going away, let all relevant people know and leave contact numbers. These days a house sitter is a preferred option, especially if you have pets or are going overseas.
Author: Property 24