Have you had a worried parent, friend, or neighbor tell you to turn on your porch lights? It’s a fairly common home security tip that is passed around, but you may be wondering if leaving the outside lights on deters burglars.
The truth is that it helps a small portion of potential burglaries, but overall, it’s not an effective method to rely on. It can be a useful strategy when you use them at the right time and use them in combination with a security system. Our team put together the following tips to best protect your home.
When to Use The Lights
As we mentioned, there are good times to turn on your outside lights to alert anyone passing by your property that you are present.
Turning on your outside lights is best in the following situations.
You’re at home at night. The combination of indoor and outdoor lighting will alert burglars that you are home, and if anyone approaches your door, you can more easily see them through a window or peephole.
Children are home alone. This is for similar reasons as when you’re home at night, and it will help ease the kids’ nerves, so they don’t jump when they see strange shadows.
Household members return late at night. If you, a roommate, a relative, or anyone else is planning to come to your home late at night, the porch light will ensure they get to the door and unlock it safely.
Expecting a home delivery. Whether for a package or Uber Eats, porch lights help the delivery person find your home, and you’ll be reminded to bring in your package before you go to bed.
The following situations are when it is best to turn your outside lights off.
Going to bed. When it’s lights out for you, the same should be true for your porch lights because turning lights off regularly indicates that homeowners are present.
On vacation. Leaving your lights on or off will not make a difference when you go out of town. The lights constantly staying on will indicate that you are not home and make the perfect opportunity for burglars.
Live in a rural area. If you own a home in a secluded, rural area, the chances are you have a large property, and leaving a light on would only become a guide to burglars in the dead of night.
Smart lighting with a remote control or timers is the best way to use lighting as a deterrent because you can control at what time the lights are on and align the timing with your regular schedule. We also advise leaving the curtain and blinds closed to not give anyone an easy view into the activity of the home.
Motion-activated lights are another way to use lighting as a deterrent. Motion sensor lighting will startle anyone who isn’t expecting a trigger, and some of them even come with a camera to record the activity happening around your home.
Security cameras are an effective tool to deter burglars or record any break-ins that do happen. As experts in the field, we have discussed in previous blogs how to select a security camera, how many you may need, and how to maximize your security products. A doorbell camera can be very useful, as burglars will often know to check if someone is home.
An alarm system is the form of security you need above all else. Even with all the other strategies listed above, an alarm system can ensure the proper authorities respond when a home invasion happens, and it limits the time a burglar may spend at your home.
Non-Equipment Strategies
If you don’t want to rely solely on technology, there are some strategies that help you protect your home and which can be a deterrent for a burglar.
Get a large dog that barks at intruders. You can train a dog to respond to intruders, and burglars reported that they would stay away from houses with a large dog that made a lot of noise.
Get to know your neighbors. Not only it is nice to make connections, but you can also let your neighbors know to be on the lookout for activity while you’re away on vacation or to confirm any activity that a smart home security system may notify you of.
Establish a neighborhood watch. If break-ins are occurring often in your neighborhood, you can help organize watch parties. The activity of witnesses roaming around will act as a deterrent for not only your home but your neighbors as well.
A Safer Tomorrow Starts Here
Does leaving outside lights on deter burglars? In short, no, it’s not an effective strategy alone to deter a burglar from targeting your property. However, in combination with security systems and other tactics, you can protect yourself, your loved ones, and your neighborhood.
If you want to secure your home, Mesa Alarms can customize a security system that addresses your areas of concern. We have been in the business of protecting Houston homes for over 30 years, and we intend to solve your everyday needs. Contact us today to secure a safer tomorrow!
Home security includes both the security hardware placed on a property and individuals' personal security practices. Security hardware includes doors, locks, alarm systems, lighting, motion detectors, and security camera systems.
tip that is passed around, but you may be wondering if leaving the outside lights on deters burglars. The truth is that it helps a small portion of potential burglaries, but overall, it's not an effective method to rely on.
For the average break-in, the presence of lighting is not even a factor as daylight would overshadow any security lighting. So do outdoor lights deter crime? They can, but only for a small portion of potential burglaries.
1. Home Security Cameras. Our best deterrent for burglars is the presence of an outdoor security camera. Having cameras mounted around your exterior home is a great way to prevent burglars from entering your home!
Generally speaking, it is safe to have outside lights on at night. The illuminated lights can serve as a signal, which shows that the home is occupied and improves visibility around your home.
Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. Even if it is for a short time, lock your doors. Leave lights on when you go out. If you are going to be away for a length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day.
Depending on the bulb, leaving lights on carries a risk of fire, and ultimately is not the best way to prevent a home invasion. Keep reading to learn what the most effective burglar deterrents are for when you're going on vacation.
Lighting up the nighttime environment does not necessarily improve safety or security. This may seem contradictory, but there is no clear scientific evidence that increased outdoor lighting deters crime and increases safety. Glare from bright, unshielded lights actually decreases safety.
Homes in high-visibility places, like on corner lots, are far less likely to be broken into. There are simply too many potential ways to be seen. But townhomes, houses in the middle of the block, or houses in a cul-de-sac are much better targets.
General Security Tips for Homeowners. You can dramatically improve the security of your home by taking steps such as trimming overgrown shrubs outside your property and leaving the TV on when you're not home. The aim is to deter burglars so your home is less likely to become a target.
Leaving your outside lights on at night can give the illusion that someone is home, and help neighbors keep watch of your property. However, leaving your lights on all day and night can be a clear indicator that nobody is at the property, which works against you.
If you ever see a purple porch light, it's there to bring awareness to incidents of domestic violence. It can go undetected for far too long, especially if the victim feels they cannot leave due to a dangerous response from the attacker.
Outdoor security lighting is effective if there are people — neighbors, pedestrians or police — to actually see suspicious activity. "If you're in a rural area, you're basically in a secluded area — you're better off turning off because the lights would help an intruder actually see," Felson says.
Does leaving outside lights on deter burglars? In short, no, it's not an effective strategy alone to deter a burglar from targeting your property. However, in combination with security systems and other tactics, you can protect yourself, your loved ones, and your neighborhood.
Research shows that leaving your lights on at night might not be effective at deterring crime if there is no one around to see it. Outdoor lights make the burglars harder to hide, but the lightning will be useless if no one actually sees the suspicious activity.
Trellis, thorny plants, or a suitable anti-climb topping such as plastic spikes make it difficult for anyone climbing over a fence or gate. Planting prickly or barbed shrubbery along boundaries and fence lines acts as an effective natural barrier. Gravel driveways and paths will make sure you hear anyone approach.
Having a well-lit exterior not only increases safety and security, but also does wonders for your curb appeal. When your home's façade has attractive and complementary outdoor light fixtures, you are sending a friendly and welcoming message to your guests and neighbors.
Introduction: My name is Gregorio Kreiger, I am a tender, brainy, enthusiastic, combative, agreeable, gentle, gentle person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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