Protecting your home requires a significant amount of attention. While you could buy the latest-and-greatest home security system, it won’t be of much assistance unless you utilize other methods of home protection—you should always wear a helmet when biking, but that doesn’t mean the rest of your body will be protected in the event of an accident.
Some basic steps to improving the security of your home include updating locks on windows and doors, as well as maintaining your property. One of the best ways you can enhance home security is to install security lights both inside and outside of your home.
The excellent thing is that there are no limits to the amount of lighting you want to use. Studies have shown that good lighting design can deter crime, as the last thing a criminal wants is to be caught in the act or identified at a later time. Good indoor and outdoor lighting can protect your home, then, as it can decrease the chances of anyone seriously scoping out your property.
For anyone looking to improve their home security, here are the best ways you can install lighting throughout your home and property.
Consider where you need lighting.
To start, you’ll need to ask yourself where lights are needed on your property. Are they needed indoors? Are you better suited to having them outside of your house, illuminating your yard and driveway?
Simple considerations like this are the first things you’ll need to ponder, as these will provide you with guiding information that will lead you to products that fit your needs. The best way to address this is to create a map of your home and property. It doesn’t have to be professional quality to understand how it can help you.
This process is important, as it can help you to identify potential security weak points around your property. For instance, maybe there is a part of your property that becomes abnormally dark at night. Or there could be bushes around your lawn that provide ample space for a criminal to hide out and watch your home. Shining a light on these weaknesses will not only identify that you are aware of them but will leave criminals with nowhere to go.
What do you want from a security light?
While making a map of your home, you should be taking into account where you’ll need lights. More importantly, what do these areas look like around your property?
If you think you’ll need a large floodlight attached to a certain part of your house, that part of your home better be able to support such a device. If not, you’ll then need to consider a renovation to be able to make that plan a reality. Moreover, you’ll need to identify areas that are excellent places for installation around your house, even if you haven’t identified them on your map. These notes will make the installation process easier, as you’ll have working plans and components to work from.
Second, you’ll need to consider where these lights can be placed. If beneath the overhang of your garage’s roof is an ideal place, you’ll need to ask yourself whether it is an environmentally sound place—e.g., Is that area too damp, is it protected against weather, is a waterproof light fixture needed?
And if you can’t get a waterproof fixture, you’ll need to consider the ways you can waterproof such an item. What areas around your property are most protected from moisture and weather? These are the areas to consider installing your light fixtures in if needed.
How your lights are controlled.
The way your lights are controlled depends on the types of lights you buy. Modern smart lighting has increased the options for control—you can activate and deactivate lights with the command of an app, even when you aren’t at home. Other lights will require you to flip a manual switch, which keeps them off and on throughout the day.
Others will require other methods of control. Motion control lights don’t require you to turn them on for them to be activated, as they will be turned on by the detection of motion, but the lighting device will have to be plugged into an electrical socket at all times.
The same goes for some solar-powered lights. While some solar lights turn on by themselves once no natural sunlight is detected on its solar panel, others will require you to manually turn them on when night comes.
The method you rely on is solely a personal choice. If you’re looking for an easier approach, consider getting lights that are all activated on their own, not requiring you to flip a switch when needed. Whatever method you choose, you’re taking a step in the right direction, making choices that will protect your home.
The Type of Lights You’ll Want to Consider
Solar-powered security lights
Solar-powered lights are an advantageous option for homeowners worried about their electricity bills spiking. There’s no worrying about how much power you’re using with these home security devices. Rather, you’re able to rest easy knowing that they are receiving their power during the day, which will be effectively used from night into early morning.
You’ve probably seen solar-powered lights used at some homes—they’re usually used to line walkways to provide a soft, guiding light throughout the night. But the solar-powered security lights at The Home Security Superstore take that power to another level, providing you with a powerful light that is effective at protecting your property.
Some of these lights even include motion detection technology, helping to conserve its power rather than being on all night—which is perfect for any homeowners who live in wooded areas and receive limited sunlight throughout the day.
Outdoor security lights
When you want to divert criminals from ever approaching your house, outdoor security lights are the way to go. When installed outside of your home, they act as a warning to anyone who might attempt to enter your property when they are unwanted.
The key to this working is to shine a light into the night. First, turning on lights situated on the outside of a home will give the appearance that someone is either currently home or will be coming home soon. Second, they ensure no intruder will be able to approach your property without being seen.
While they’re not the only line of defense you should use for your home, they’re an excellent way to protect yourself, your family, and your possessions. But a single light facing out toward your backyard won’t do much. You’ll need more than that to truly scare a potential burglar off.
Security light systems
So you want to truly scare off a criminal? Security cameras and security light systems are your best friends.
Security light systems are multi-light systems that are designed for the ultimate form of home protection. The numerous lights allow you to keep watch over your property, leaving little to no gaps of darkness where a criminal might be able to hide.
The best thing about these systems is that they tend to include security cameras—or are simply compatible with common security camera systems. While security lighting is one way to scare off a criminal, a security camera is another option. Whereas lighting will give the impression of being seen and possibly identified by a witness, a security camera is a surefire way to be caught on camera—thus, there’s a recording that can be used as evidence against them rather than just an eye-witness report.
You can even go a step further by having a security camera sign in your front yard. If illuminated by a security light, you’ll be providing a direct warning to anyone who attempts to trespass on your property, letting them know that there will be no getting away with intruding in your home.
LED floodlights
LED security lights provide homeowners with a serious security upgrade. They are highly powered lights that provide scatter light across a large area, allowing wide areas of a property to be covered. If you’ve never owned a set of LED floodlights, you’ve surely experienced them somewhere, such as at a music venue or sports stadium—but they’re not only useful for large venues.
Homeowners can benefit from using LED floodlights around the outside of their house. Coming in all different shapes, sizes, and power levels, you can install floodlights around your property to scare off potential criminals.
But how do they work best?
First, LED lights are relatively cheap and very reliable. They have much longer lifespans than normal incandescent bulbs, meaning they are low-maintenance. Also, they tend to emit a brighter light, which is helpful when trying to shine a far-reaching light out onto your lawn late at night.
They’re best implemented in pairs, installed around your home and property so that there is an overlap. This overlap is important, as it ensures that there is no part of your property that goes uncovered. So, if an intruder is attempting to make their way toward your home, they will have no area of darkness to approach from.
Best of all, motion-activated LED floodlights have entered the market, allowing you to cover your property without having your lights on at all times. These power lights will be activated only when motion is detected in the dark. Anyone approaching your house will likely be scared off by this sudden beam of light shining on them, and they will run from fear they’ll be caught in the act.
Indoor Lighting
While we’ve discussed the need for outdoor lighting for home security, you shouldn’t forget about lighting the inside of your house, too. Indoor lighting is an exceptional form of home security, solely for its simplicity. Having a light on during the early morning and night is a simple way to make it seem as if someone is both at home and awake. This is more true if you have multiple lights and devices turned on within your home.
The best thing is that you don’t even have to be home to have your lights on nowadays. Smart lighting has made it possible to control the lighting of your house even while you’re away at work or across the country visiting relatives on vacation. These lights are often controlled by an app that works as a hub, allowing you to access the interconnected smart devices throughout your home, so you can either set them to turn off and on with a timer or control them manually.
This is a great way to make it seem as if there is life within your home. While you’re away, a set of lights and devices—such as a smart TV—can be turned on to generate light and noise. These will act as signs that someone is home, causing a burglar to look past your home since they’d rather not take chances on being caught.
Paired with outdoor security lights, you’ll have a foolproof method to protect your home.
Update Your Basic Security Systems Now
Proper lighting is one of the easiest ways you can improve home security. Before you purchase the most expensive home security system, consider updating the basics throughout your home. We have a great variety of security lighting inventory and professional spy equipment at The Home Security Superstore, all designed to enhance your home defense. Begin your search today to find lighting products that fit your home security needs.
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FAQs:
How do security lights improve home security?
Security lights can deter crime by diverting criminals who will avoid your home out of fear of being caught or identified.
Should I keep a light on when I’m not at home?
Yes, this is a good idea. A light left on indoors will give the appearance someone is home—something an intruder doesn’t want to deal with.
What type of security lights work best?
All security lights work to your benefit, but some of our favorites include LED floodlights, security light and camera systems, and motion-detecting lighting systems.
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