When you think of home security, outdoor lighting might not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, as the saying goes, 'a dark home is a vulnerable home'. Here are 5 ways using outdoor lighting can improve your home's security.
Someone is home and watching
It's common knowledge at this point that thieves prefer dark houses. Utilizing outdoor lighting makes it harder for them to be seen breaking in or identified even if someone hears the break-in. It also implies that you aren't home, and worse - that you probably don't have a home security system.
Clear the way for lights
Ensuring that your home has plenty of natural light and LED lights outside is important. Cutting back trees and brush from your home not only allows for more natural light (which makes it easier to spot signs of break-ins) but takes away potential hiding spots from would-be thieves. The new open space is ideal for putting down accent lights, spotlights, and LED lights.
Keep every side of your home lit
When you put outdoor lighting on every side of your home, you leave no area ideal for breaking in. There are no shadowed areas that a thief or predator can hide away in. This is especially helpful if you have a combination of motion lights, close neighbors, and security cameras. It makes for easier identification on camera, and the sudden lights can catch not only your attention - but the attention of neighbors.
Make your home even safer
When choosing your outdoor lighting, it may be tempting to choose ultra bright lights. But this is a common mistake. The brighter the lights, the more shadow they can cast. Using a few decently bright lights provide less shadow and more coverage. Also, choosing to go with solar lights can have big benefits, as intruders often disable standard lights. Solar lights aren't easy to disable.
Accentuate your outdoor lights
The scary truth is that intruders aren't stupid. Most know to scout a place out before acting, which means that they can spend days or weeks learning your schedule and finding out where all of your outdoor lights are. Using these together, they can easily figure out that you turn on the lights at 7 PM on Fridays before you head out for dinner. When you use timers to turn lights off and on at different times, it can seriously dissuade intruders. Likewise, using additional lighting such as porch and accent lighting can be a great help.
There are many great reasons and great ways that outdoor lighting helps with home security. It can also add great curb appeal and help to add equity to your home. Utilizing outdoor lighting can seem like a chore, but it is well worth it, and can be a fun way to dress up your home's exterior!
When lighting is not enough (when you are not home)
There are a few more helpful and easy steps you can take to help secure your home when you are not home. Ask a neighbor or friend to pick up your mail if you are gone for several days (or you can use a locking mailbox like these ones). You can also call the post office (or go to Canada Post website, or USPS if you are in the States) and request that they hold your mail until you you get back from your time away. Another smart thing to do is rent out your driveway parking lot to a friend/neighbor.
There are also many security system installers, who offer a varierty of remote and home security options. Dan Kelly, owner and founder of Advanced Smart Systems Integration in Toronto says: "Thanks to the technology we have today, people can monitor their home from virtually anywhere in the world, and have instant notifcation of any kind of security breach whether its your home or business. That kind of peace of mind is priceless."
