Fight Crime with Home Security Lighting
Did you know that a burglary occurs, on average, every 16 seconds in the United States? This startling fact may make you reconsider the security measures that you take around your home, including having home security lighting installed. The outside of your home may actually be encouraging criminals to break in. Experts recommend that you do a security check of the outside of your home by doing a walk-around.
After dark, go outside your home and start at the street or sidewalk. Look at your home objectively as though through new eyes. People get used to looking at their homes and may fail to correct obvious problems that others will see easily. The main thing to review is the lighting around your home. If your home is dark, this will attract burglars. Burglars don’t want to be seen, so they will surely choose a home that is dark over one that has lights. Use home security lighting to provide lights on the outside of your home.
Home security lighting that uses motion sensors is usually considered the best type of outdoor lighting to deter crime. A motion security light turns on when someone is within the range of the light. You can strategically place several motion security lights around the home to provide the home security lighting that you need in all areas. For example, you’ll want to install a motion security light near your front entrance, and you also should install one near your garage door.
You may want to install home security lighting at various other points around your home as well. From your walkthrough, determine the areas that look the darkest and may be located near windows or other possible entry points of your home. In the front of your home, install low-level landscape lights to surround your home and provide some light. These are helpful when used in conjunction with motion security lights.
Experts point out that home security lighting is helpful in deterring criminal activity. But you also need to take other security precautions as well. Always keep your home and front yard well maintained. Don’t let newspapers or mail accumulate, since this is the mark of an empty home. Likewise, if you’re going on vacation always stop mail and newspaper delivery, or find someone to pick them up for you. Don’t let ladders or buckets sit outside under windows of your home. If your home has basement windows, make sure they are securely locked from inside or install bars to prevent entry.
In addition to using home security lighting outside, you’ll also want to make sure your home is well lit on the inside. Use a timer to turn on lights in various rooms of the home, particularly if you get home late from work or if you’re on vacation. Burglars may watch your home before they try to get in, so try to vary your routine. If your lights are on a timer, vary the times that they go on and off. You can even put your television or radio on a timer to make it look as though someone is home even if they aren’t.
Finally, keep doors locked even when you are at home. If you have a home alarm system, make sure to use it. Install security cameras if you’d like to see who is at your door. If you are aware of any suspicious activity, call the local police who can drive by to check on the neighborhood. These ideas will all help to prevent your home from just another statistic.
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