Outdoor
security lighting can be the difference between a criminal targeting your
property or passing it by. Intruders love to focus on properties with dark,
low-lit areas where they can not be seen.
“There are an estimated 20,000 burglary crimes in the Charlotte area each year,” said John Minor, owner of Irrigation and Lighting
Specialist. “Many of those crimes could have been prevented if
outdoor security lighting was present.”
To help protect our community, our experts share how outdoor security lighting can improve
your home's security and offer a few tips to ensure your property is safe from
intruders.
Security for you – Insecurity for the Intruder
Criminals look to target areas with no lighting. They feel
more safe knowing they can’t be seen. Illuminating a potential intruder can
make them feel exposed and insecure.
If you are home, you will be able to see the criminal and alert
the police. If you are not home, your neighbors or passersby will be more able
to see and report suspicious activity. Outdoor security lighting doesn’t
guarantee crime prevention, but it does act as a powerful crime deterrent.
Make Your Outdoor Security Lighting Tamper-Proof
A determined intruder may try to damage your light fixtures
or bulbs in order to create a dark area to gain access to your property.
There are two options for lighting damage prevention:
1. Install the fixture out of reach. 10 feet or over should
be sufficient. Most burglars won’t carry ladders, and if they do, they will be
spotted very quickly.
2. Buy tamper-proof lights or place mesh wiring over
sensitive areas of the light.
Lower Brightness is More Effective
Many medium powered light fixtures are more effective than a
few high powered ones. Several medium powered lights provide more even property
coverage, which reduces the amount of dark areas. On top of being less
aesthetically pleasing, high-powered lights can produce glare and make it
difficult to see an intruder in detail.
Motion Detecting Lights
Any outdoor security lighting system should have at least
one motion detecting light. There may be nothing more alarming for a criminal
than to be suddenly illuminated. It gives the illusion that someone is aware of
their presence and has turned a light on to see them. It will most likely send
them running away from your property.
Motion detecting lights should be placed near any doors,
windows or other entryways around your home or business. Intruders may feel too
exposed to pick a lock or climb through a window if they are under the light.
“We believe motion detecting lights are the backbone of any
good outdoor security lighting system. That’s why we offer so many different
options. On top of being a great tool for home security, they’re extremely
energy efficient,” said Minor.
Install to Several Circuits – Not Just One
Install different lights to different circuits. If the
entire lighting system is run through one circuit, a tripped circuit breaker
shuts down every light. If sections of the system are assigned to different
circuits, a tripped circuit will only affect one area.
“Sometimes customers envision outdoor security lighting
looking bright and ugly. Our
installation techniques and careful fixture
placement
ensure we
add a pleasing aesthetic element to your home,” said Minor. “We offer plenty of
fixtures that provide both security and style.”
Talk to our outdoor
security lighting experts to learn more or to discuss your options.
Irrigation and Lighting Specialist looks forward to helping you keep your
property safe and secure. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a
consultation, please e-mail John or
call 704-747-0235.
