WHAT THE SEASONAL CHANGE MEANS FOR YOUR HOME SECURITY

The last couple of weeks have certainly been very wet and windy, especially for parts of the coast. But Spring is just around the corner. We can expect the weather to slowly start getting warmer, and longer sunnier days are not that far off in the distance anymore.

“As a homeowner, you must keep track of how the weather changes as this has bearing on many parts of your home and especially your home security. In the same way that Spring cleaning is a good way of cleaning the cupboards and clearing out all the cobwebs, you should also be looking at what needs to be changed or fixed on the outside of your residence,” says Charnel Hattingh, Group Head of Communications and Marketing at Fidelity ADT.

“Any electronic device – such as a movement sensor or CCTV camera – that is installed outdoors, would be exposed to these changing weather conditions. Seasonal changes mean that you should test to see if everything is still working as well as it should. Recent heavy rainfall for example could require some parts of the system to be replaced,” explains Hattingh.

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, she explains.

“A proper system once-over is also very useful, in the same way that your car goes for regular service checks. Your security provider might also be able to suggest new products that are more efficient than the elements you installed a few years ago. For example, the technology used for cameras and CCTV security keeps evolving and who knows, there might be a new product that is much more affordable and way more effective than what you have installed now,” says Hattingh.

There is also an important duty to check the physical lay out of your property. 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.

If your area had recently experienced any adverse weather, then the advice is to contact your security provider immediately. 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.

“Security needs to change with the changing seasons. By following these tips, we hope you will have peace of mind that your security system is as prepared for the new season as you are,” she says.