As a parent, there’s nothing more reassuring than knowing that your baby is safe and sound, even when you’re not in the same room. That’s why many parents invest in baby monitors, like Owlet, to keep a watchful eye on their little ones. But what happens when the power goes out? Does Owlet work during a power outage? In this article, we’ll delve into the world of Owlet and explore its capabilities during a power outage.
The Importance of Baby Monitors During Power Outages
Power outages can be stressful for anyone, but for parents, it’s especially worrying. Without electricity, many baby monitors are rendered useless, leaving parents feeling helpless and disconnected from their babies. That’s why it’s crucial to choose a baby monitor that can continue to function during a power outage.
Imagine being stuck in the dark, unable to see or hear your baby, and having no way of knowing if they’re safe or not. It’s a frightening thought, and one that can keep parents up at night. But with a baby monitor like Owlet, parents can rest easy, even during a power outage.
How Does Owlet Work?
Before we dive into whether Owlet works during a power outage, it’s essential to understand how it works in the first place. Owlet is a wearable baby monitor that tracks a baby’s vital signs, including heart rate, oxygen levels, and sleep patterns. It’s a small, sock-like device that fits snugly on a baby’s foot, and it does not require any batteries or charging.
The Owlet device connects to a base station, which in turn connects to a parent’s smartphone or tablet via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. This allows parents to receive real-time updates on their baby’s vital signs, as well as receive alerts and notifications if something is amiss.
Owlet’s Power Outage Solution
So, what happens when the power goes out, and the base station can no longer connect to the internet? Does Owlet work during a power outage? The answer is yes, but only partially.
While the base station may not be able to connect to the internet, the Owlet device itself continues to track a baby’s vital signs and store the data locally. This means that even if the power goes out, the Owlet device will continue to function and store data until the power is restored.
However, parents will not be able to receive real-time updates or alerts on their smartphone or tablet until the power is restored and the base station can reconnect to the internet. This may cause some anxiety for parents who rely on Owlet to monitor their baby’s vital signs.
Owlet’s Battery Life
One of the most significant advantages of Owlet is its long battery life. The Owlet device can last for up to 30 hours on a single charge, which means that even if the power goes out, parents can still rely on Owlet to monitor their baby’s vital signs for an extended period.
Alternative Power Sources for Owlet
While Owlet’s battery life is impressive, it’s still important to consider alternative power sources to keep the base station running during a power outage. Here are a few options:
- Battery-Powered Outlets: These devices can provide power to the base station during a power outage, ensuring that it remains connected to the internet and continues to send alerts and notifications to parents.
- Portable Power Banks: A portable power bank can be used to charge the base station’s battery, keeping it running for several hours during a power outage.
- Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): A UPS can provide backup power to the base station during a power outage, ensuring that it remains operational.
Other Factors to Consider
While Owlet’s ability to function during a power outage is impressive, there are other factors to consider when choosing a baby monitor.
Internet Connectivity
Owlet requires internet connectivity to send alerts and notifications to parents. During a power outage, internet connectivity may also be disrupted, which means that parents may not receive alerts or notifications even if the base station is still operational.
Cellular Connectivity
Some baby monitors, like Owlet, offer cellular connectivity as a backup option. This means that even if the internet connection is lost, the baby monitor can still send alerts and notifications to parents via cellular networks.
Local Monitoring
While Owlet tracks a baby’s vital signs and sends alerts and notifications to parents, it does not provide a live video feed of the baby. If parents want to see their baby during a power outage, they will need to rely on other means, such as a portable nightlight or a battery-powered baby monitor with a camera.
Conclusion
Does Owlet work during a power outage? The answer is yes, but only partially. While the Owlet device continues to track a baby’s vital signs and store data locally, parents will not receive real-time updates or alerts on their smartphone or tablet until the power is restored.
However, with a little planning and preparation, parents can ensure that they stay connected to their baby even during a power outage. By investing in alternative power sources, such as battery-powered outlets or portable power banks, parents can keep the base station running and receive alerts and notifications even when the power is out.
Ultimately, Owlet is a reliable and innovative baby monitor that provides parents with peace of mind, even during a power outage.
Will My Owlet Device Still Monitor My Baby During a Power Outage?
The Owlet Cam and Smart Sock are designed to continue monitoring your baby even during a power outage. The Smart Sock has a backup battery that will last for up to 8 hours in the event of a power outage, giving you peace of mind that your baby is still being monitored. The Owlet Cam also has a backup battery that will last for up to 3 hours. This means that you will still receive notifications and be able to view live video of your baby even if the power goes out.
It’s worth noting that if you have the Owlet Base Station, it does require power to function. However, the Smart Sock and Owlet Cam will continue to work independently during a power outage, providing you with continuous monitoring and alerts. This ensures that you can still keep a close eye on your baby even if the power is out.
How Long Will the Backup Battery in My Owlet Device Last?
The length of time the backup battery in your Owlet device will last depends on the specific device. The Smart Sock has a backup battery that will last for up to 8 hours, while the Owlet Cam has a backup battery that will last for up to 3 hours. This is plenty of time to get the power back on or to make alternative arrangements for your baby’s care.
It’s a good idea to make sure that your Owlet devices are fully charged before a power outage, as this will ensure that the backup battery lasts as long as possible. You can check the battery level of your devices in the Owlet app, and receive notifications when the battery is running low.
Will I Still Receive Notifications During a Power Outage?
Yes, you will still receive notifications during a power outage if your Owlet device detects any unusual activity or if your baby’s oxygen levels or heart rate fall outside of the normal range. The Owlet app will continue to send notifications to your phone or tablet, even if the power is out. This means that you can still stay informed about your baby’s health and well-being, even if you’re not in the same room.
It’s worth noting that the type of notifications you receive may vary depending on the device and the severity of the power outage. For example, if the power outage is brief, you may only receive a notification when the power comes back on. However, if the power outage is more prolonged, you may receive more frequent updates on your baby’s status.
Can I Still View Live Video During a Power Outage?
Yes, you can still view live video of your baby during a power outage if you have the Owlet Cam. The Owlet Cam has a backup battery that will allow you to continue viewing live video for up to 3 hours. This means that you can still keep an eye on your baby, even if the power is out.
To view live video during a power outage, simply open the Owlet app on your phone or tablet and select the “Live” option. You will be able to see real-time video of your baby, even if the power is out. This can be especially reassuring during a power outage, when you may not be able to physically check on your baby.
Will My Owlet Device Automatically Reconnect When the Power Comes Back On?
Yes, your Owlet device will automatically reconnect to the internet and the Owlet app when the power comes back on. You don’t need to do anything to reconnect your device, it will happen automatically.
Once the power is back on, your Owlet device will reconnect to the internet and the Owlet app, and you will be able to view live video and receive notifications as usual. This means that you can get back to monitoring your baby’s health and well-being without any interruption.
What Should I Do If My Owlet Device Runs Out of Battery During a Power Outage?
If your Owlet device runs out of battery during a power outage, don’t panic. First, try to get the power back on as soon as possible. If that’s not possible, make alternative arrangements for your baby’s care and keep a close eye on them until the power comes back on.
In the meantime, you can try to conserve the battery life of your phone or tablet by turning off any unnecessary features and reducing the screen brightness. This will help you stay connected to the Owlet app and receive any notifications that may come through.
Are There Any Special Preparations I Should Make for a Power Outage?
Yes, there are a few things you can do to prepare for a power outage. First, make sure that your Owlet devices are fully charged before the power goes out. This will ensure that the backup battery lasts as long as possible.
You should also have a plan in place for alternative lighting and heating or cooling, in case the power outage lasts for an extended period of time. Having a backup power source, such as a portable generator or batteries, can also be helpful. Finally, make sure that you have a way to stay informed about the status of the power outage, such as a battery-powered radio or a fully charged phone.