There are many things you can do to improve the security at your home! Outdoor lighting should be an important part of your home security solution. While it is not the smartest decision to break into a home, “burglars are stupid” is a myth. Most intruders will make an effort to find the easy prey!
You don’t have to light up your home like the night game on Sunday Night to improve your security. In fact, too much can draw unwanted attention to your property. This article will offer you an overview of a few simple steps you can take to secure your home from an event that will change your life.
What is the purpose of Security Lighting?
Security lighting has several purposes beyond just protecting your home from intruders. It should help you and your family navigate potential tripping hazards within paths and that bike your kids left on the front sidewalk. Lighting can also add quite a bit of ascetic value to your home. However, the purpose of this article is to help your family stay safe within the chaos that is prevalent within our country.
The Illuminating Engineering Society explains that good security lighting anticipates potential threats and predators, and increases the means necessary to commit a crime, discouraging would-be criminals from breaking into a home.
“Does this buy my family time to deal with an event” is one of the most important factors we at Armor Concepts evaluate in every home security component . Every layer of security is a necessary addition to your home security.
Your security lighting should achieve the following goals:
- Provide a clear view of the area around your home; including people and objects such as fences, barriers, and walls.
- Allow you to recognize facial features at a distance
- Make outdoor tasks such as locating your keys, getting the mail, or taking the dog for a midnight potty break easier and safer
- Help you and your family avoid criminal threats and/or defend themselves when a threat is perceived
How to Choose a light source:
The light source affects color and distance perception. Common Lighting options include incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, low and high-pressure sodium, and LED Light bulbs. Here's what you should consider when choosing a source of light:
Standard Incandescent and Tungsten Halogen lights will render colors more accurately than other options like Mercury Vapor and Fluorescent lighting. Here is an example: Color rendering is important in identifying the color of a potential suspect’s clothing or the color of a vehicle in the event you have someone fleeing your home or loitering in the street next to your home.
Installation Tips for Outdoor Lighting:
Adding security lighting varies depending on your home's design and the lights you would like to add. The manufacturer's installation instructions are the best place to find specific directions; however, here are some general rules you can follow:
- Use covers to protect your new lights
- Adjust fixtures so the direct light on to your property, not the neighbors or the street
- Adjust the motion detectors to respond to only the activity you desire
- Pick a location where your lights cannot be tampered with
When planning your security lighting, consider your inside lighting into the approach. Pick styles of fixtures with the same finish for a uniform look and feel for your home. Light exterior paint can improve the efficiency of the lights you install.
Interior lamps in your bedroom, kitchen, and other areas such as a living room also work to improve your exterior lighting. Add timers so these interior lights automatically come on when you're away from home. This helps to make the home appear occupied to anyone canvassing the area. Most criminals do not want a confrontation with a home owner, they will prey on the easier target.
Real Protection - Real Security
If you would like to take your security to the next level, the only real protection is to prevent an intruder from entering your home. Armor Concepts has secured nearly 450,000 homes in neighborhoods just like yours with Door Armor.
Outdoor lighting can improve your home's security.