It’s summertime and you aren’t the only one feeling the heat. As temperatures rise, the exposure to higher temperatures and strong sunlight can also affect your home security system. A compromised security system can leave your home vulnerable at a time when a lot of families leave home to pursue their summer travel plans and activities. Here are some ways to ensure that the heat doesn’t zap your security over the summer months.
Inspect
Take some time to inspect equipment that can be sensitive to heat and sunlight/UV rays. Anything outside is the most vulnerable to extreme weather, so an inspection of outdoor cameras and sensors is a top priority. Make sure your equipment is not damaged or misaligned. Check for debris, cracks, and adjust or replace where necessary. Heat can also quickly drain batteries and especially wireless devices. Check battery health on any home security devices and pay particular attention to wireless devices. Replace batteries as needed and keep extra around just in case.
Protect
Exposed wiring can break down due to extreme heat exposure, causing poor performance or equipment failure. Insulate any exposed wiring and make changes to get it out of direct sunlight. Additionally, control panels and DVRs are prone to overheat, particularly in areas with poor ventilation or direct exposure. Assess the condition and specifically the location. Find ways to cool down an area that gets excessively hot or move portable items to a better ventilated area to preserve the life of your equipment.
Test and Update
Planning and extra testing may be necessary to properly analyze how well your system is working. It would be bad timing to have a heat-related malfunction at a time when you are trying to get out of town on vacation and need your security system the most. Don’t forget to test equipment after any power outage, which can be common in the summer. A midyear professional maintenance check is never a bad idea and get tips from the technician on the best ways to protect your equipment this summer. Don’t forget to check for software and firmware updates. These updates can improve your system performance and are often released during seasonal changes.
Summer heat doesn’t just affect family and pets. Your home security system might also be struggling. With a few extra steps and some TLC, you can ensure that your security system continues to do its job while you soak up the summer rays.