The new year has started with extreme weather conditions being experienced across several parts of the country. Parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape have recorded heavy rainfall, while heatwave conditions in the Western Cape will see the mercury reaching deep into the 40s this weekend. Disaster management teams in Gauteng meanwhile are on alert in the midst of flood warnings for the Vaal Dam.
“Regular maintenance of a home security system is something that every home owner should remember. The kind of weather that we are seeing across South Africa makes this kind of maintenance even more important,” says Charnel Hattingh, Head of Marketing and Communications at Fidelity ADT.
A good place to start, she says, is to look at anything on your property that could contribute to causing damage when extreme weather should be experienced.
“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. If you have any overgrown shrubbery or bushes that could provide fuel for any runaway veld fires, we recommend that these also be trimmed back as soon as possible.”
Once you have experienced any kind of extreme weather, it is recommended that you see whether the alarm system has been damaged. “Your armed response company can send a technician to test the system for you,” says Hattingh.
“Security needs to change with the changing weather conditions. By following these tips, we hope you will have peace of mind that your security system is as prepared as you are.”
