More homeowners have been investing in home security measures over the past few years. It makes only perfect sense considering that burglaries happen every 30 seconds in the U.S. However, even when you’ve invested in home security systems, much like all smart home technologies, they rely heavily on electricity and on an internet connection. This means that even with the most advanced home security additions, your home may still be vulnerable when there’s a power outage. The worst part is that criminals are also aware of this. Here are some important things you need to keep in mind.

Understanding the Criminal Mind

Criminals are opportunistic, and they are aware that homes are especially vulnerable during a power outage, since this renders most home security systems non-functional. Some criminals even intentionally cut the power to a home right before entering it. It’s important to choose a security system that comes with its own backup power source for when you aren’t around during an outage. A more affordable solution is to use this generator buyer’s guide to help you find a generator that suits your power needs. 

Be Aware of Power Outage Schedules

People who travel frequently won’t be able to respond immediately to home emergencies. This is why their homes are more likely to be targeted during a power outage. Keeping up-to-date on scheduled power outages can help you make the necessary preparations. There are also security systems that send an alert to your phone when power is lost and when it’s restored. 

Issues With VoIP Systems

Most security systems also rely on the internet to monitor your home. This is usually done via a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) line. Even if you’ve been able to implement contingencies for a power outage, an internet outage will also render your security systems non-functional. While many home security companies have implemented solutions that retain internet connectivity even during an internet outage, it’s important to get in touch with your home security company and ask to have your system updated if it hasn’t already been updated.

Use Multiple Monitoring Centers

Home security is a two-way relationship and it will only work if two conditions are met:

1. A security system is able to detect an intrusion and send an alarm to a monitoring center
2. The monitoring center receives the alert and sends personnel to the home 

Even when you’ve been able to lay out contingencies for your home, there may be times when the monitoring center may not be able to respond to the alert sent out by the security system of your home. It’s important to make sure that your home security provider has more than one monitoring center so that even if your main monitoring center experiences an outage, other locations will still be able to monitor your house. 

Many of our technologies rely on the internet and on electricity. Power and internet outages can happen anytime. It’s important that we’re able to ensure that our homes are emergency-proof and that the security systems that protect those homes stay functional even without internet and power. Your home’s physical security is just as important as its cybersecurity.