Outdoor Security Lighting

The crime rate in urban areas has been on a severe rise over the past three decades. The numbers of homes broken into and general burglaries have escalated to a very alarming rate. Throughout the late 1980’s to the early 1990’s in New York City alone, the number of burglaries ranged in the 200,000 per year average range. That is in only one US city. Imagine how high this rate would become on a world average.

Security agencies have spent considerable time and funds in researching manners in which we might lower these statistics. One might expect the answer to have been high-tech security systems or a dramatic increase in law enforcement personnel. Ironically, the answer was nothing more than a simple light.

Testing has uncovered the fact that the majority of the homes broken into were actually those that did not have adequate outdoor lighting. The average burglar will always attempt to stay out of sight. Any well-lit area would absolutely be the final choice for a burglary.

With this in mind, officials are now urging urban area citizens to implement extra lighting around their homes, particularly that of outdoor security lighting. Outdoor security lighting is a fairly basic concept. This lighting method is movement activated, in that when there is adequate movement within range of the light itself, i.e. someone walking up a sidewalk or pulling into a driveway, the light automatically switches on.

To the burglar, this is risky to say the least. First, the burglar does not know for certain that the sudden turning on of the light was due to its’ status of being an outdoor security light. For all the potential thief knows, it could be someone inside the house that has spotted him and clicked on the light. The burglars’ first instinct is to run away. Thus, a burglary is prevented and your home remains a safe haven for your family.

One of the more positive aspects of outdoor security lighting is that of its’ versatility. You can place them anywhere on the outside of your home. Your options include, but are not limited to, porch lights, lights on poles, lights along your sidewalk, garage lights, and even fence lights. The options are only limited by your imagination.

Broken down, your choices are simple. You can spend thousands of dollars on an expensive security system, or you can simply lock your doors at night and turn on the outdoor security lights. Just remember, your home is your haven. Spend a very small amount of money and make sure that it remains a place of rest and security.

I just brought my first solar outdoor security lighting. As a young single female I have to admit it was a bit intimidating. Will I have all kinds of wiring, hooks, screws, bolts, what have you, to set up when I open the box? My new small house is full of stuff that I have brought with my hard earned money that seemed so easy to assemble when I first got them. I would look at a box featuring a small lighting fixture with a young woman on the picture and think, “wow, this light would look great in my bedroom and its only a small box, how difficult can it possibly be?” Well, I would open the darn thing and get my answer. The box would come with instructions up the kazoo!

It can get so complicated that just figuring out how many screws the box was supposed to come with puts me in an absolute panic. Instructions are not made for any one that is reading them for the first time. I picture tech experts that had to assemble the item over and over when they first got the job. By the time they got around to writing the instructions, well, its revenge time! The more difficult the instructions the better!

Let’s just say that usually l it is just highly intimidating for someone like me. However the solar outdoor security lighting that I brought was invented just for me.

The only decision I had to make was were to place my stake In the ground so that when I come home after being in the computer with weary eyes in the evening I can find my way to the door. The solar outdoor security lighting has really kicked up the looks of my house “up a notch” as Emeril would say. I am pretty proud driving into the driveway and seeing it look like a landing on the runway with those lights guiding the way. It is pretty impressive. The only unexpected problem I have encountered is that my single friends now come by and see my solar outdoor security lighting and think that suddenly I am Ms. Handywoman!

They ask for all kinds of advice about their plants, their floor and even their plumbing! I have to laugh and of course, not wanting to disappoint them, I find myself looking up online all kinds of information for them. This has opened a whole new world for me. I am even thinking of starting a second little side job. I think that I can get used to this!

There are a multitude of outdoor pathway lighting choices on the market today. The choices can be personalized to fit the consumer’s needs in many different ways.

One of the first basic outdoor lighting choices for a pathway would include the traditional electrically operated low voltage “string” of lights. These are usually easily installable by the average homeowner and are a great permanent solution to adding illumination to a walk or pathway. They typically consist of lantern, pole or bollard type lighting.

These choices are practically unlimited in showrooms or online. There are many types of materials for these types of lights, ranging from plastic to metals and even some wooden alternatives.These type lights are typically placed a fixed distance apart on an electrical cord. Some “strings” utilize plug in type ends where the homeowner simply plugs them into an outdoor receptacle. Other types require wiring knowledge and might require professional installation if the homeowner is not familiar with electrical wiring procedures.

Another type of temporary outdoor pathway lighting, generally utilized for a short time frame, would be luminarias, or candles. This would involve set up and placement of each individual candle or luminaria. This is a beautiful and elegant way to light a pathway for an evening or special event. It might not be particularly effective for day to day use, but is definitely a beautiful addition to any party or event. If children will be attending the event, one possible option to ordinary candles might be the new flameless candles that are readily available in most stores or online. This simple change in the lighting would allow for a safe and effective way to add beauty to an outdoor event.

Yet another way to create safety and mood with outdoor pathway lighting is solar lighting. There are several advantages to this type of lighting. Solar lighting typically requires a higher initial investment, but allows the homeowner to place the lighting exactly as they prefer. If more lighting is required in an area, more solar light stakes can be added. Placement can be as close together as desired, or utilized on individual plants for a soft glow to illuminate a prized planting. Better solar technology allows a wider variety of choice for today’s consumer, and the options are almost limitless for materials used and design.

These are just a few of the options available for outdoor pathway lighting needs. The choices are limitless and the results are bordered only by the imagination of the person installing the lighting. Outdoor pathway lighting can be a fun way to add beauty, safety and visual appeal to any home.