A simple way to enhance your home’s security is to install some lighting. There are three different techniques to use lighting for security purposes. They are dusk to dawn lighting, motion activated lighting, and a combination hi/lo lighting.

The first is the simplest system in which the area is lit all night long. The concept works based on the premise that burgulars will think twice about doing something suspicious in a well lit area. Take away the cover of darkness and the offender no longer feels confident and might just change his mind.

The system works by a using a photocell that reads lighting levels of an area. When the lighting drops below a determined level, it switches on the lights and stay on all night.

The cost of running electricity and replacement lamps is the downside of this technique. Since the lights are on all night lamps burn out much faster and the electricity bill can really add up. Also, since the lights always look the same, there is nothing to alert anyone nearby of suspicious activity.

With motion activated lighting, if there is anyone in the area, someone is sure the notice. Imagine a would-be intruder stopping dead in his tracks as high beam lights flood the area. He could still be 30 feet from the point of entry when the lights go on. This is a very powerful deterrent and since the lights only go on when motion is detected, the cost of operating this type of lighting security is much more economical than the previous technique.

The last technique is a combination of the first two. The system is set to keep the lamps on at approximately twenty percent of full wattage from dusk to dawn. Then there is the motion sensing part that turns on the lights to full wattage when the sensors detect some motion.

The cost is also in between the two systems, not quite as expensive as running the lights all night long, and not quite as cheap as only turning them on when motion is detected. But overall, many people like the comforting glow that makes them feel more secure combined with the effectiveness of motion activated lighting.

When it comes to protecting your home and your family, security lighting does a good job as a simple yet effective prevention measure against intrusions or other criminal activity on or to your property. It will definitely aid in the detection of intruders, to deter intruders, or in some cases simply to increase the feeling of safety.

Tags: Home Security