For burglars, there is no target more tempting than a home or business that appears unoccupied. Thankfully, many would-be thieves can be deterred with the application of security lighting for your property. Effective lighting of the premises greatly minimizes the risk of vandalism or theft and is usually a far more cost-effective option than complex security systems.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, there are approximately 325,000 homes broken into every year with an estimated loss from property crimes of nearly $14.3 billion. The National Council for Home Safety and Security states that a burglary occurs every 13 seconds with 66% of them being home break-ins. Most of these crimes, 87%, go unsolved because there is no physical evidence and no witnesses.
Analyze Your Property’s Vulnerable Areas
A wide variety of site conditions can serve as tempting opportunities for criminals. Performing a thorough analysis of your property’s vulnerable spots is essential when designing your lighting system.
Protecting your home with security lights is more than putting a 100-watt light bulb over the entryways and adding a motion activated spotlight on the garage. Those are all steps in the proper direction but won’t provide the complete coverage that you need. In addition to entryways, these areas require illumination as well:
- Driveways
- Patios
- Decks
- Walkways
- Backyards
- Perimeter
- All Possible Points of Entry
Know Your Local Outdoor Lighting Ordinances
The best security lighting applications are quite a bit more involved than just hanging a few exterior lights; beyond this, local ordinances are frequently strict regarding details such as mounting height, power source, wattage, shielding, light trespass, or obstructions. Many property owners find that navigating the complex array of building codes, licensing, and inspections are simply not worth the hassle. Finally, for maximum effect, a lighting system must properly consider surrounding structures, lighting such as traffic signals, and a variety of complicating factors the property offers such as size, perimeter and plant life.
Thankfully, a properly trained expert can design a lighting system that is uniform, low voltage and cost-effective, avoids glare or deep shadow for maximum efficacy, and allows clear observation of anyone in or around the premises. Better yet, professional installers are well-versed in navigating municipal installation requirements, and are more than happy to handle the red-tape quickly and at minimum cost.
Landscape Lighting Technicians are specially trained to design lighting installations that prevent crime while also provide a complementary, custom aesthetic, that is unique to each customer’s property. Whether looking to protect your home, safeguard your business, or ensure safety in public areas, a lighting technician can provide you with a comprehensive analysis and the appropriate recommendations for your intended project.
Ultimately, some individuals may prefer to go the “do-it-yourself” route to save money. However, most customers who delegate this undertaking to professionals find the ease, cost-effectiveness, and quality of the installation to greatly outweigh what can be achieved alone.
Adding security lighting makes it difficult for unwanted intruders to access your property unseen, making your home more secure and protecting your loved ones. If you’d like to learn more about how to choose the right professional for your security lighting installation, contact us at Sponzilli Landscape Group.
