Criminals looking forward to ‘outage season’
Never use devices such as generators, charcoal grills or camping stoves inside a home.
Winter is here and while residents dread the pending power outages, whether planned or not, criminals see these as golden opportunities to commit their crimes under the cloak of darkness.
Read more: What to do when you’re a hijacking target
But as usual pro-active residents can take measures to safeguard themselves during these times. Here is some advice from local security practitioner, Louis Grobler:
• For people with security systems – it’s important to know how your security system will function during a power outage. Many of the best security systems, including most cellular home security systems, offer battery back-up options that will allow a system to work during a power outage. For homeowners that are unsure of an alarm system’s capabilities, it’s a good idea to contact the home security system company to clear up any questions. Also, even if a system has a battery back-up, it may only last for a certain number of hours, so in extended power outages, an alarm system may not work, despite the battery back-up.
• There are a number of do-it-yourself security options that are battery-powered and can be added to a home for added security during a power outage. Options include battery-powered door alarms and glass-break sensors.
• Never use devices such as generators, charcoal grills or camping stoves inside a home. When a home is cold and dark it can become tempting to use these items to prepare food or stay warm, but these are not only a fire hazard – they’re also a carbon monoxide risk. All fuel-burning devices, such as gas stoves, gas cylinders and Primus stoves should be used with extreme caution in well-ventilated areas.
• Consider installing solar-powered outdoor security lighting. One of the biggest reasons criminals strike during a power outage is because darkness is one of the best possible scenarios for a break-in. Criminals love to operate under the cover of darkness, so solar-powered outdoor lights can add lighting to a home, even during a power outage, which will likely deter a burglar from striking. Just as with traditionally wired outdoor lights, there is a range of solar-powered outdoor lighting options available, including motion-sensor lighting.
Read more: More handy tips to prevent crime
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