How To Keep Your House More Secure With Outdoor Lights

“Home invasion” might be your favorite movie genre, but in reality, it's the stuff of nightmares. The last thing you want is intruders breaking in. 

While getting a security guard is an old albeit flawed way to improve safety, you can always rely on technology to do a better job. That's where outdoor lighting comes into the picture, providing illumination and improved security for your premises. 

However, it's not as simple as fixing a few lights in different locations since unwanted entry cannot be deterred solely by that. There are several factors that come into play, but you'll get the hang of it once you're through with this guide. 

Hi! I'm Stacy Smith, and today I'll be discussing how to keep your house more secure with outdoor lights. And by the end, I'm sure you'll find the most feasible solution. 

So, let's get started.

Ways To Improve Security At Home Using Outdoor Lights

Position Of The Lights

The first thing you should consider is the placement of the outdoor security lights. Start by mapping the landscape outside your house and focus on the different entry points. While doing so, make sure not to miss out on possible access points, as it's unlikely that an intruder will use the main entryways. 

For instance, if you have a fence in the backyard, a burglar can potentially climb across it to approach the house. Therefore, you should look for such vulnerable spots around your house and cover them with security lights. 

However, some may argue that not all outdoor locations have electric outlets or access to the main line. While that's a legitimate concern, you can always opt for alternative energy sources to power the outdoor lights. You can choose between USB, battery, or solar-powered options. 

Once you're done with the mapping, figure out the lighting arrangement and how it will illuminate the area. As a rule of thumb, you should put up the lights around 10 to 20 ft apart. This ensures not only higher coverage but also adequate brightness, which is ideally what most homeowners want. 

After all, you don't want any location to be too bright or too dark, as it’s neither desirable nor practical. That said, you may mount the lights on the external walls of the house or use poles, trees, or any other structure to secure them. 

Find the most convenient way to install the lights, and feel free to experiment as nobody knows your home better than you. Figure out the light position and the angle which will provide maximum security at night.

Creating A Ring Of Security

Think from an intruder's perspective: anyone looking to break into a house is unlikely to target a well-lit one. Therefore, you must put up lights in different corners and along the perimeter of your house. This way, when you turn on the lights simultaneously, it just confirms human presence and activity inside the house. 

Check The Lights' Focus

When you're installing lights to beef up security, the function should take precedence over aesthetics. What I mean by that is you should assess the lights' utility rather than visual appeal. 

That said, check the lights' focus, as you'd want higher brightness intensity, in addition to more coverage. Dim or low-brightness lights may not work for this purpose as they do little to increase safety. Therefore, look for focused spotlights with strong beams that concentrate on specific areas. 

However, the ideal type of light also depends on the location and how well it works in that spot. To explain further, for places like the front door, back entrance, driveway, garage, or sidewalk, I would suggest using a spotlight. 

On the other hand, floodlights are more suitable for places that require a wider beam. So, if you have a lawn, backyard, or pool, this is a better option. But then again, you don't want to use a floodlight for smaller areas as that could create a harsh, unpleasant glare. 

There's a thin line between bright and blinding, so you want to assess that before taking a call. If you don't have such larger spaces, I would recommend using spotlights along with smaller ambient lights to increase coverage as well as improve aesthetics.

Security Features

Obviously, security lights are different from normal ones as they include certain features that increase safety around establishments. Therefore, you must look for these features before buying any model. 

1. Motion Sensors

Motion sensors detect movement and trigger the lights to function in a specific way. In some models, the light goes from dim to bright, and in others, it comes on when movement is detected. From a security standpoint, the first type is always the better option as illumination and motion detection work simultaneously. 

2. Timer 

This is another feature that can streamline outdoor lighting by setting an automatic turn-on/off time. Basically, you have to connect the lights to a transformer(s) with a timer and program them so they operate at the same time. 

This eliminates the hassle of individually turning on the lights, and you can rely on the timer to do the job with minimal oversight. Besides, this feature is incredibly useful when you're away from home but don't want anyone to notice the absence. 

3. Light Sensor 

Much like the timers, models with light sensors or photocells are also programmed to turn on/off automatically. However, in this case, the light's operation depends on the outdoor lighting situation. Long story short, the lights turn on at night and go off at daybreak. This is a simple yet efficient way to get your lights to work in a synchronized manner. 

4. Doorway Sensor 

This may not be a built-in feature, but you can use it with lights on different entry points, so the sensor alerts you if there's a breach. Install sensors on your front door, back door, garage door, basement door, or any access point that can be targeted.

Smart Controls

We currently live in the day and age of advanced technology, so you might as well use it to improve your home's security. That said, smart lights can be connected and operated via smartphones, tablets, and voice control devices like Amazon Echo, Dot, etc.

It's a highly efficient way to check on your home when you're away, as you can get real-time notifications and alerts. Usually, in this case, the lights can be programmed through an app, where you can control everything from the turn-on/off time and brightness to motion sensor activation, etc.  

So, if you're tech-savvy enough and prefer maximum control and customizations, these lights will work out fine.

Combine Lights With Other Security Systems

If you feel that the lights alone are not enough to increase safety, take it to the next level and combine it with other security systems. For starters, you could install smart locks on all the doors, which allows users to access the entrance remotely. 

Smart locks are difficult to hack, and as such, these personalized systems add another level of security, thereby ensuring peace of mind. Other than that, you could also opt for video doorbells, so you get to see who's at the door without opening it. 

Lastly, driveway and garage alert systems are also great ways of improving safety, as you'd want to know in case there's an unwanted presence. All of these systems can usually be connected to a smartphone or smart home hub, meaning you can operate them remotely from anywhere with an internet connection.

Observe Your Neighborhood

This has got nothing to do with the lights, but it will help you decide on the number of lights and level of security needed. To break it down, if you live in a secluded area with minimal street lighting, having multiple lights on throughout the night might be the best way to prevent intruders. 

On the other hand, you may not need as many if you live inside a gated society or on a populated street, where every other neighbor has lights on. Therefore, you must observe your surroundings and decide on the best course of action. 

When To Keep Your Lights On

Now, this is something based on experience and common sense, so you might want to keep this information handy. Besides, if you don't want to leave the outdoor lights on throughout the night, these are the times you should make an exception. 

1. When A Family Member Returns Late

You want to keep the lights on when someone is supposed to return late as that will help them see better, and you won't be startled by their presence. 

2. When You Leave The Kids At Home

If you're stepping out for some quick shopping and other chores, it'd be best to leave the lights on while the kids are inside. Furthermore, I'd recommend keeping most of the indoor lights on to mimic maximum human activity.  

3. When You're Expecting A Delivery

Keep your light on if you're expecting a delivery, as the person can drop the parcel in the right location, and you can monitor their activity just in case. 

4. When You're Alone At Home

You might be a braveheart, but statistically, most burglaries are attempted in homes with solo occupants. Therefore, it's best to leave the lights on when you're alone and don't want to attract the attention of the wrong crowd.

Does Keeping The Light On Always Work?

Obviously, the light itself won't physically stop someone from entering an establishment since it's nothing more than a psychological barrier. However, your house is least likely to be attacked if the perimeter and entryways are well-lit. 

The idea is to eliminate dark spots and prevent undetected movement outside the house. And frankly, the best way to do so is by keeping the lights on. However, you don't want to draw attention by leaving them on throughout the day. 

In case you're often away from home, make sure not to leave the lights on during the day, as it just confirms your absence. That said, if you're worried about high electricity bills, I'd suggest opting for low-voltage lights or solar lights to reduce operational costs. Ultimately, your safety is the biggest priority, so it's best not to skimp on the quality of the lights.

Maintaining Outdoor Security Lights 

Outdoor lights are typically low-maintenance, but you should keep an eye out for malfunctions and undertake necessary replacements from time to time. This checklist will help you streamline things. 

• Clean the lenses and hoods regularly as they tend to collect dirt and grime over time 
• Check for damaged and broken fixtures and replace them
• Replace burned-out bulbs  
• Inspect the lights and check for damaged sensors and other elements
• Repair or replace damaged electrical components
• Trim branches to prevent obstruction of light
• Prune shrubs and bushes near doors and windows to improve visibility 

Final Words

That's all from me!

I hope this guide has helped you learn how to use outdoor lighting to improve home security. So, go ahead and secure the perimeter and entryways and make your home a safer space. But before you get to work, here's some advice. 

Ideally, your outdoor lights should work as alert systems, so you instantly know if anybody is lurking outside the house. Therefore, you should test the security features regularly and make sure everything is working fine. 

After all, you don't want an intruder to gain access only because your lights failed to respond. On that note, I'd like to take your leave. 

Till next time! Stay safe!