Do Security Lights Deter Burglars?
One burglary occurs every 22.6 seconds. With home invasions occurring so frequently, it’s normal to want to take extra measures to ensure the safety of your family. There are obvious deterrents, such as home security systems, but can lighting possibly be a tool for preventing burglaries?
Authorities have often suggested lighting can be used to help to keep homes safe. But, many homeowners are questioning whether that is actually an effective burglary prevention strategy. Does lighting deter burglars because they fear identification or do lights simply let the burglar have a look inside so they can identify which items to take?
Whether you own a home or a commercial business, this is arguably the main purpose of most security lighting setups and the reason why many people consider installing them.
Unsurprisingly, studies show that well-lit areas tend to be less vulnerable to crime in general. This goes for streets and outdoor public areas, as well as private property and places of work.
As such, the short answer is yes, security lights can certainly help to deter burglars. The longer and more accurate answer? You will need to think carefully about where, how and why you install security lighting in order for it to be optimally effective.
Crime prevention reports and initiatives agree that security lighting can be an effective deterrent. However, it is not equally effective at all times, or in all use cases. For instance, coupling security lights with camera technology will always be more effective than lighting alone.
There is also some evidence to suggest that leaving security lights on 24 hours a day isn’t always that useful against intruders. Poorly considered security lighting can even have the opposite effect, and end up attracting unwanted attention. This is particularly true if it is left on at all times, as it can begin to look unnatural or unguarded.
Security Lighting Location is Key
The benefits of security lighting will be limited if its placement offers little practical benefit. For any given location, it is important to think about how useful a light is going to be. This applies to security staff, outside observers, and even the intruders themselves.
For example, it is not always helpful to install security lights in a dark area that can’t be seen by onlookers or cameras. Simply illuminating an intruder who knows they are still out of sight isn’t considered a very effective deterrent. In the worst-case scenario, you could even be helping them to see their way around more easily.
With that said, security lights can be a highly effective strategy for deterring burglars. However, they are best used as part of a coherent and well-planned approach to security. This means installing them in areas where anyone triggering them is likely to be observed as a direct result.
Security lighting should always be set up to alert any intruder to the fact that they are now visible. This is particularly effective when floodlights or wall lights are used alongside visible CCTV cameras and surveillance devices.
Security Lighting Types
By now, you have probably identified which areas of your commercial, industrial or other workplace premises might benefit from additional lighting for security. The next step is to plan the ideal setup for your chosen location.
Remember that the best outdoor security lighting system for your needs will likely be a bespoke setup. As a result, it is important to make sure you have considered all the available options before making a purchase.
There is a wide variety of security lighting fixtures and system types available online. The best security lights for your needs will depend on several key factors, including:
- Which sorts and sizes of area you want to illuminate
- What times of day or night you want your security lights to operate
- Whether they should be active at all times or be triggered by intruder detection
- Balancing your security needs with overall setup and running costs
- Any other additional features required for better performance or convenience
Your local Portsmouth locksmith offers a full security survey service. Do you know if your home or business is secure from potential burglars? Lock-On Security can check that your home is secure and that you have the right security lighting for your home or business. Call Lock-On Security on 07952 302102 for a free home or business security survey.
