A simple and inexpensive way to protect your home from intruders is to use light to your advantage. Burglars love the darkness as it protects them. A poorly lit property is like an invitation to steal everything inside. Using light, you can startle burglars and deter them by convincing them that someone is home. Find out how by reading our guide to using light to enhance the security of your home.

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Motion Sensors

Burglars will watch houses before they decide to break into them. If yours appears to be in the dark permanently, then it will look like an easy target. If, however, when they get near your property an exterior light comes on then they’ll hastily move on to another property or easier target. Exterior lights, such as LED floodlights, operating on motion sensors should be installed both at the front and the back of your house. If you can, install them on each corner to make the most of the sensor and catch those approaching at an angle.

A motion sensor or PIR (Passive Infra-Red) sensor shown below is able to detect heat signatures from intruders and switches the lights on. With an integrated lux setting, it won't switch when sufficient daylight is available which also helps to save energy.

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Out of Reach

You must make sure that any exterior lights that you might install are out of easy reach. Some burglars may purposefully disable floodlights to make it easier to target your home. With porch lights and similar, it is easy for a burglar to cut a wire or unscrew a bulb. A floodlight positioned on the corner of your house will take much more effort, and is likely to draw attention to them if they were to try. So, install your floodlights as high up as possible and any intruder will definitely think twice about trying to disable it, and will likely be put off breaking in at all.

If you have lights set in the ground, protective plastic casings can help protect them from damage.

Multiple Lights

Use light as a decorating tool as well as a burglar deterrent and you’ll see that using multiple lights is better than just one both for ensuring your home is well lit and for deterring intruders. You could place lights in and around the trees, along paths and even ground lighting around the house itself, to compliment the floodlights.

Light Timers

Light timers for the interior of your home will add another dimension to the security of your home. If those burglars watch long enough, they will see that although outside lights go on, there’s no one inside. Interior lights on timers will help deter a burglar by convincing them that there is someone in. Program the timers to come on at different times each night and in different rooms. The last thing you want is regularity or predictability, because a thief will notice.

Choose Energy Saving Light Bulbs

With all these extra lights, you might expect your energy bill to sky rocket. However, if you’re savvy, you’ll be able to lessen the blow. Choose energy saving light bulbs for both your indoor and outdoor lights and you may find that you may even save money. LED lights cost less to operate and they have a much longer life.