Home Security Tips: Good Lighting
Everybody knows the basics of home security: Install quality locks, get one of the best home security systems in Miami, and secure your windows. However, an often-overlooked aspect of any solid security plan is lighting. Home security professionals at ADT Miami agree that lighting can help homeowners spot potential intruders and disguise the fact that a home may be vacant. Used strategically, indoor and outdoor lighting can help deter burglars, spot potential threats and increase the overall security of a home.
Indoor Lighting
A home’s interior lighting lets passers-by know that there are people inside. Most thieves case out houses before striking, to determine who lives there and what habits the homeowners have. Would-be burglars will target houses that seem to be dark and vacant night after night. To create the impression of activity, even in a vacant house, a light timer can be an easy solution. This inexpensive device can be found at any home-improvement store, and is simple to set up. Light timers should be used every day, not just when a home is vacant. This way, a routine is established for neighbors: if a typically lit-up house becomes dark, they would be more likely to notice and become suspicious.
Even homeowners who have already purchased home security systems in Miami would benefit from light timers. The devices should be used on lights near the front and rear windows; some light timers can also be used to turn radios and TVs on at specified times. A realistic pattern that simulates normal human activity should be employed to fool potential thieves. Homeowners can enjoy the benefits of light timers even when they’re actually home: Coming home late at night to a lighted home can be comforting.
Outdoor Lighting
The exterior lighting of a home also serves multiple purposes. Professionals at ADT Miami consider outdoor lighting to be a home’s first line of defense. Good lighting allows homeowners to spot suspicious people loitering around their property. Homeowners who need to walk from a garage or parking area to their residence understand how outdoor lighting is essential to help them see any potential threats in their path.
The increased visibility from outdoor lighting can help residents avoid these possible dangers, but only if it’s bright enough. Exterior lighting should be strong enough for homeowners to see 100 feet; an ideal lighting system is bright enough to let a person identify colors.
While the entire perimeter of a house should be lighted, particular focus should be given to the entry. Most people light the front entry, but tend to neglect the back door. However, a darkened backyard and rear entry is less visible to neighbors and passers-by; unless it’s equipped with outdoor lights, it could be an easy point of access for burglars. Other areas where burglars could hide, like clusters of trees or bushes, should also be well-lit. When setting up outdoor lights, especially by a porch or garage, it’s best to employ a light timer. Outdoor lights left on all day signals to burglars that the house is probably vacant.
Homeowners who already have porch lights or door lights may want to consider replacing them with security lights equipped with motion sensors. These lights have heat-motion sensors that detect body heat, and can reduce energy use and light pollution. Protected areas can also be equipped with infrared lights that will trigger an alarm if a certain area is entered. Homeowners shouldn’t be deterred by the possibility of false alarms: Most of these lights have sensitivity levels that can be adjusted so that small animals and other moving objects don’t set anything off. While low-voltage flood lights with motion sensors can be an easy do-it-yourself installation, the higher-voltage variety should be installed by a professional for safety reasons.
It’s clear that lighting should be an integral part of any home’s security plan. Home security systems in Miami are certainly important, but good indoor and outdoor lighting can be an excellent complement to these systems. At ADT Miami, security professionals agree that establishing a pattern of indoor activity and increasing outdoor visibility can significantly reduce the chances of a home invasion. Homeowners who make it difficult for a burglar to enter their home will likely send potential thieves looking for an easier target.
