Help Keep Your Home Safe!
This is the second part of a four-part article on low cost/no cost tricks you can apply to help make your home safe and secure from unwanted intruders. If you read the first part of this article, you know that I talk in great depth about using landscaping to improve your home’s security. So, while you are planning the landscaping of your home, think about adding some lighting to your plan. In fact, while we’re on that subject, let’s talk about the use of lighting in many different ways to make your home more intimidating, and keep the bad guys away!
Clever Lighting
Adding lighting to your landscape design is kind of like adding some sparkle, or that extra finishing touch that can really heighten your home’s curb appeal! But here’s the added bonus – outdoor lighting is a really great way to deter criminals from setting foot on your property.
Some low voltage up-lights will enhance the appearance of trees and large shrubs, and also make it harder for burglars to hide behind or beneath them.
Motion sensor lights are a great addition to all your entry ways. They will keep friends and family from stumbling in the dark, while putting the “spot light” on criminal activity. They are very inexpensive and well worth the investment.
Another “bright idea” (pardon the pun) that won’t break your budget is to use solar lights. Decorative solar ornaments and path markers could be placed along walkways or in planting beds around your home, giving off a soft glow that will cast a shadow on an intruder. Solar lights can also be in the form of motion-sensor lights, spot lights, decorative lamp posts, or just about any form of outdoor lighting you might need. There are many different price ranges, but since the power source is free, you are paying for the quality of the lamp itself, and that is where a few extra dollars may be worth it in the long run. Do remember that the solar panels on these lights need to be cleaned periodically to keep them at their brightest.
Lighting tricks don’t stop at the door, though, when talking about scaring away the bad guys. Many of us leave a light on when we are away from home at night, but think about the signals you may be sending to a prospective burglar who is scoping out your property. If the curtains are open, do you really want to leave a light shining on your new flat screen TV, game console, or computer? Burglars look for things they can grab and go in a hurry, and you’re advertising some great selections for them! What about those folks who always leave on the light above the kitchen sink? Yes, that is just enough light for you to enter your home after dark without stumbling, but to a burglar, it’s a clear sign that no one is home! What lights do you have on when you are home for the evening? Those are the ones you want to leave on when you are away. You may be using a little more electricity, but it’s a small price to pay – all things considered.
And one last trick to consider; if you are going to be away overnight or several days, why not purchase a few programmable timers. These little gadgets are inexpensive – about $12 - $60 each and many of them can be plugged right into your existing wall outlet. Plug in your lamp, maybe a TV, and even a bedroom lamp, and let the timer turn them on and off at appropriate times so those on the outside believe there is someone on the inside!
Just remember to think like the bad guy! What signals would a thief look for that might tell him your home is an easy target – or that he better move on down the road, because someone may be home or may be watching!
**This is part 2 of a 4-part article on home safety tips to protect your home from intruders. Please watch for more of this article in my next blog post! I invite you to add your comments, questions, or suggestions about any of these ideas – or some others you have tried. I want this blog to be a place where we can all share and learn from each other!
Clever Lighting
Adding lighting to your landscape design is kind of like adding some sparkle, or that extra finishing touch that can really heighten your home’s curb appeal! But here’s the added bonus – outdoor lighting is a really great way to deter criminals from setting foot on your property.Some low voltage up-lights will enhance the appearance of trees and large shrubs, and also make it harder for burglars to hide behind or beneath them.
Motion sensor lights are a great addition to all your entry ways. They will keep friends and family from stumbling in the dark, while putting the “spot light” on criminal activity. They are very inexpensive and well worth the investment.
Another “bright idea” (pardon the pun) that won’t break your budget is to use solar lights. Decorative solar ornaments and path markers could be placed along walkways or in planting beds around your home, giving off a soft glow that will cast a shadow on an intruder. Solar lights can also be in the form of motion-sensor lights, spot lights, decorative lamp posts, or just about any form of outdoor lighting you might need. There are many different price ranges, but since the power source is free, you are paying for the quality of the lamp itself, and that is where a few extra dollars may be worth it in the long run. Do remember that the solar panels on these lights need to be cleaned periodically to keep them at their brightest.
Lighting tricks don’t stop at the door, though, when talking about scaring away the bad guys. Many of us leave a light on when we are away from home at night, but think about the signals you may be sending to a prospective burglar who is scoping out your property. If the curtains are open, do you really want to leave a light shining on your new flat screen TV, game console, or computer? Burglars look for things they can grab and go in a hurry, and you’re advertising some great selections for them! What about those folks who always leave on the light above the kitchen sink? Yes, that is just enough light for you to enter your home after dark without stumbling, but to a burglar, it’s a clear sign that no one is home! What lights do you have on when you are home for the evening? Those are the ones you want to leave on when you are away. You may be using a little more electricity, but it’s a small price to pay – all things considered.
And one last trick to consider; if you are going to be away overnight or several days, why not purchase a few programmable timers. These little gadgets are inexpensive – about $12 - $60 each and many of them can be plugged right into your existing wall outlet. Plug in your lamp, maybe a TV, and even a bedroom lamp, and let the timer turn them on and off at appropriate times so those on the outside believe there is someone on the inside!
Just remember to think like the bad guy! What signals would a thief look for that might tell him your home is an easy target – or that he better move on down the road, because someone may be home or may be watching!
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