Blackout Home Security: Keeping Safe When the Power’s Out
A power outage at your home can leave you without electricity, but it can also put your family’s security at risk. When the grid goes down, cameras, alarms, and monitoring systems often stop working, leaving you and your property vulnerable. Whether it’s caused by a storm, grid failure, or an intentional cut, being prepared ensures you stay protected. Now, let’s take a look at how to safeguard your security system during a blackout.
Why Do Power Outages Put Your Home at Risk
Power outages can pose serious safety risks to your home, as criminals may seize the opportunity to break in when security cameras are disabled by a blackout.
You also want to ensure your home is protected against a loss of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide and gas sensors, water leak sensors, and other systems that monitor your house and keep it safe. Finally, having live footage of events like storms, where wind and falling branches may damage your home or car, can be invaluable for insurance claims. Without footage, it can be harder to prove the damage was caused by the storm and not by something else.
How Home Security Systems Respond When the Power Fails
Any home security system that relies on your household's electrical and Wi-Fi will fail during an outage because it will lose the electricity it needs to run. However, some systems have batteries that could last 2-24 hours or more, depending on the system.
Other systems use cellular backup that kicks in during an electrical failure to maintain system continuity. While landlines may still work, cordless phones and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) lines will fail without batteries. So, either way, even with phone backup, these systems still rely on the system's internal batteries, which are typically limited. This is why the best backup for security is a portable power station.
Home Backup Power Options That Keep You Protected
To truly keep your home protected during an electrical outage, you need a backup generator or portable power station that can act as an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) so it doesn’t miss a beat.
Backup generators used to be the go-to option, but unless they are hardwired, they must be manually started. They also require fossil fuels, are noisy and dirty, and are unsafe for use indoors due to the potential for lethal carbon monoxide poisoning.
This is why battery-powered portable power stations that can act as a UPS are the best option for protecting your home. For instance, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X is a robust system with a starting output of 12kW. Not only will it run your routers, cameras, and all your alarms, it will run fridges, freezers, medical equipment, and even 240V air conditioners. With expandable battery capacity, you can set it up to seamlessly run your entire house during an outage. Pair that with solar panels, and you can stay safe and secure indefinitely.
The other option is to choose a smaller, dedicated portable power station, like the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus, which can be set up to provide backup electricity just to run your security system, routers, and alarms rather than powering your entire house. This is a more affordable option for those on a budget who still want to ensure their home is protected. Depending on how much energy your security system consumes, it can provide you with several additional hours or even days of protection while you wait for the grid to be restored.
Protecting Household Devices and Monitoring in Blackouts
If you want to protect your household devices and monitor your home so you’re prepared for emergencies, battery backup is essential to keep those cameras, alarms, and sensors running.
During a blackout, your household electricity goes down, and with it, your internet fails, which we rely on heavily for monitoring our homes. Some people invest in security systems with 24/7 monitoring and cellular backup to keep those alerts active when your Wi-Fi fails. However, paying companies for 24/7 monitoring and cellular fallback costs additional monthly fees. If those fees are not in your budget, an affordable, dedicated, portable power station like the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus will still keep your system running and recording, offering you and your family peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do Security Camera Batteries Last During a Power Outage?
The length of time security camera batteries last during a power outage varies with your camera, features, and battery. In general, however, they typically last between 2 and 24 hours. For long-term backup, consider a portable battery-powered backup system and recharge it with solar.
Can a Burglar Cut the Power to Disable My Home Security System?
Yes, burglars can sometimes disable home security systems by cutting the electricity, but it depends on the system. Most modern systems now have remote battery backups, cellular, or internet-based communications and recording, making them more resilient to power outages.
What Is the Best Generator Size for Running Home Security Equipment?
The best size depends on your home security equipment and the wattage required to power its various components. Still, a 1000W-1500W generator or portable power station should be sufficient backup for almost any security system.
Do Smart Locks Still Work if the Power Goes Out
Most residential smart locks still work if the power goes out because they are usually battery-operated. However, if yours is hard-wired into your electrical system, it may stop working unless you have a battery backup system.
Ready to Stay Safe and Powered During Outages With EcoFlow?
Power outages don’t have to compromise your home’s safety. With the proper preparation and battery backup system, you can keep your cameras, alarms, and sensors running smoothly through any blackout. Whether you use a small dedicated portable power station just to run your security system, or a robust whole-home system like the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X, you can have seamless, reliable power when it matters the most, keeping your home and family safe, connected, and secure until the grid is restored.