Home Security Essentials for Extreme Weather Conditions

The winter storms have been brutal over the last few months, Storms Éowyn and Darragh battered the country, and with extreme weather patterns becoming the norm in a world suffering the consequences of climate change, there is more importance than ever before to be as prepared as you can with your winter home security. From storms, floods, to power outages, and fallen trees, there are many physical risks to be aware of and security challenges to face up to. Protecting your home is important at all times, and ensuring you have done everything possible prior to a forecasted storm helps to give you peace of mind.

We’ve put together some security tips to help you fully prepare for extreme weather conditions, keeping your home safe in the face of high winds, heavy rain, and other weather events.

Install and maintain a robust CCTV system

As part of your home security, a solid CCTV system can make all the difference in deterring potential criminals who may look to take advantage of bad weather and the ensuing chaos to enter your home. Purchase CCTV systems that are built to withstand bad weather such as high winds and heavy rain and that are mounted securely. CCTV allows you to monitor the vulnerable positions around the perimeter of your property, connecting it to a backup generator for constant monitoring even if the mains power goes down.

Secure the entry points to your home

If there is a weather warning and a winter storm is approaching, you should review your home security immediately. Storms can cause damage to windows, weaken doors, and make other entry points vulnerable to potential break-ins. Review your door and window locks, installing weather-resistant locks, reinforced doors, and electronic locking systems if possible. Grills, bars, and security gates offer extra protection if a window or a door has been damaged during a storm.

Lock away your valuables

Consider purchasing a safe in your home that offers protection for your most valuable items against potential theft but also against the elements. For example, a safe will protect your treasured items from water in areas where floods are more likely during storms, against fire, and make it harder for criminals to locate and steal your valuable possessions. If you have passports and other important documents that you must keep safe during a storm, a safe is a good way to keep them in top condition.

Have a backup plan

A power cut is more likely during a winter storm, and it can leave your home vulnerable to attack if you are not prepared. A backup plan for this would include a standby generator, emergency lighting, and backup power for your alarm and CCTV systems in the form of a battery backup. If your house is in darkness due to damage from a storm, a criminal would be more likely to attempt a break-in, whereas a backup energy plan gets the lights back on instantly and the security systems in full gear with little disruption to your home security.

Smart tech integration

The modern home requires a modern security solution. Smart security devices provide you with real-time updates and alerts from a range of applications. Environmental sensors can be used to detect leaks, smoke, changes in humidity, power failures, and other hazards. Real-time alerts will notify you of any breaches of your home security or damage to the property from stormy weather, allowing you to act fast and accordingly.

There are a few different things that you can do to maintain good home security systems all year round, even when your home is being battered by the high winds of the latest named storms. Extreme weather conditions are here to stay, so it is vital that you fully prepare your home for potential damage, strengthen your home security processes, and look after the potential vulnerable entry points that can be damaged during storms and leave your home open to potential attack from criminals. The security tips above will give you peace of mind, and advice on the best way to secure your home and how a home alarm system and CCTV from a reputable security company such as Network Security can help.