Cherri Design

Home Security Lighting

Sadly, I think we can all agree that the crime rate around our country has sky-rocketed, especially in the past two years. While we cannot completely prevent a criminal act around or in our homes, we can hopefully deter it, in order to protect ourselves and our family, with security lighting.

At night, exterior lighting creates an atmosphere of beauty for our homes, but it can also be beneficial in lighting dark spaces that might be an area for criminal activity. Visibility is increased around your home and yard, thereby deterring activity at night. Security lighting also helps make your neighborhood community safer, lending additional light to the neighborhood space. If you choose to install security lighting, also consider the aesthetics, making it as pleasing as possible to the eye, but ultimately focusing on your security aspect needs. There are many types of outdoor lighting, and all of these can help light your space. Solar lights are always a good option, but remember that they do not stay lit all night. Nowadays, solar lighting also comes in a wide variety of sizes, from single stake to rope lighting. Directional lighting is a great option, as it can be pointed where you need it the most, lighting even a very obscure area. It is usually staked in the ground, so it points upward on your home or building. Also, open bottom lighting has a bulb that points downward, so these are ideal for mounting on your home, garage or a free-standing building. Another type is the cobra head and is longer in shape. Some quick research will show more options that are available for your home security needs. But any lighting that you add will reveal outdoor activity, hopefully deterring any suspicious activity in your area.

Security yard lights mounted on electric poles can be installed by your electric company and are generally offered at an affordable rate. This amount is added to your regular monthly electric bill. This option is a convenient, easy way to provide outdoor lighting, and your electric company will usually install, maintain and repair their yard lights. Entergy even provides free bulb replacement at no extra cost to their customers. LED energy efficient bulbs are generally used, thereby reducing environmental footprint.

If budget does not currently allow for adding security lighting, use what you have available. Leave porch lights or garage lights on at night to deter outdoor activity. Purchase some inexpensive solar lights as well, as even just a few make a difference. I personally have solar rope light wrapped around the poles of my covered patio, and it is amazing how much light these provide for several hours a night.

Remember that lighting can serve a two-fold purpose for your home or business. Lighting not only provides aesthetics, but it can also help deter any activity around your space that is unwanted. N