One of the most important features of any good home security system has nothing to do with buzzers, alarms or wireless devices, but has far more to do with illuminating the problem of residential burglary in America. With a house being broken into more or less every 15 seconds, there is real cause for concern, and more and more homeowners want to be protected. Increasingly people are installing home alarm systems, but unfortunately, a simply alarm might not be enough. The most adequately secure homes incorporate ‘layers’ of security, and the first and one of the best lines of defense is quite a simple solution: lighting. With good interior and exterior lighting, a home can be protected and secured.
Interior lighting is what shows that you are at home. It is the first thing any criminal will look for when attempting a break in, because he ideally does not want to be caught in the act. Showing that your home is occupied and lively during the evening, and especially while you are not actually in the residence is of utmost importance. A simple light timer is a perfect solution, and is a good idea for both indoor and outdoor lighting. Many today can be set to randomly switch on and off, making it so a predictable pattern cannot be detected by any watchful thief. Outdoor lights can be set on timers, or even better on a motion detector system that switches the light on, catching by surprise anyone who has come within too close a radius of your home. A good combination of convincing indoor and outdoor lighting can be an excellent burglar deterrent, and should be used on a regular basis, not just while you are on vacation! The comfort of knowing you are always coming home to a well lit home and property will give you peace of mind in and of itself, since nobody will be able to catch you by surprise! For added protection, try a ‘fake television’ or an automatic radio device, that furthers the illusion that the house is always occupied.
Whether you live in a private residence, or even in a shared building or apartment complex, there are some important rules to remember about exterior lighting. First of all, a burnt out light bulb is an opportunity, so don’t let changing it fall by the wayside. Chances are if you’ve noticed an exterior light has been out for more than a day, someone with less than honorable intentions has noticed it too. Additionally, make sure that all parking areas, driveways, sidewalks, and building entrances are well lit, not only for personal safety against slips, trips and falls, but against anyone who might be lurking in the shadows. Finally, it’s wise to have exterior lighting set up in a manner that doesn’t just illuminate a small area, but gives a visibility of about 100 feet. This allows you to see what’s going on around you. Equally important for home security is having a lighting system that illuminates the perimeter, including any exterior doors and windows. Thieves like to have the element of surprise, so give them a taste of their own medicine by shining a light on their actions with excellent home security and exterior and interior home lighting!
