If you buy a home, then you’ll probably look for certain features before you move in. Safety features can be a valuable addition, for instance. You might get smart locks for the doors that can save you having to carry a key around. You can set up an alarm system too.
However, installing permanent outdoor lights is also something that is worth considering if you don’t have them on the exterior of your house yet. You can always go with something like permanent Christmas lights. That can create a jolly look, and it will save you the trouble of having to take them down and put them up every December. If you think they’re too gaudy to have visible year round, you can also install them in such a way so that they’re not too obtrusive.
You can also look at other sorts of exterior lights that you can install if strings of lights don’t appeal. No matter what kind you end up getting, though, it’s crucial that you understand what having lights on the outside of your house can do for you. We’ll talk about that in greater detail right now.
Outdoor Lights Can Scare Away Intruders
Let’s imagine a scenario for a moment. You live in a neighborhood that is mostly pretty safe. That is part of why you decided to put in a bid and purchase the property.
However, you have heard some troubling reports lately. You’ve heard that houses are being broken into. Maybe individuals from other neighborhoods are coming into your area to try some of the back windows at night.
If so, that’s bound to frighten you and your kids. You won’t like the idea of burglars getting into your house and making off with your electronics, jewelry, and other valuables.
Having permanent lights installed on the outside of your home can be part of the solution, along with having locks on all the windows and doors. If you have motion-activated lights, so much the better.
Criminals work in darkness. If they’re trying to sneak up the driveway when the light turns on, they will probably turn right back around and attempt to pick a less illuminated target.
They Help to Protect Your Home When You’re at Work
You may also find that you have to work nights sometimes. Maybe you won’t get home until after dark. You may have kids who are there by themselves, doing their homework. What if someone tries to break in when you’re not around?
Again, having motion-activated lights that will turn on when someone approaches the house can act as a deterrent. You can also install an app on your phone that warns you if anyone approaches the house close enough for the doorbell camera to capture their likeness.
The combination of a doorbell camera and motion-activated lights can be a winning one for your family. You can see when the kids come home from school or if a neighbor stops by, and the lights will also come on to scare away anyone unwanted who decides to approach.
They Help to Protect Your Home When You Are on Vacation
If you go on vacation, your house is vulnerable. There are ways around that, though. You can install a security system and tell the company monitoring it when you’re going to be out of town. Having motion-activated permanent lights installed can act as an additional layer of security.
If the lights come on after dark every time someone approaches, combining that with outdoor cameras and a security company will make it extremely unlikely that anyone will be able to successfully penetrate your home’s defenses. It’s another reason why investing in outdoor lights is a smart idea.
They Can Keep Your Pets from Injuring Themselves
There are other reasons to install motion-activated outdoor lights besides potential home invaders, though. You might also have a dog that sometimes needs to go out in the yard to do their business.
You can install a dog door, but maybe you don’t like that idea because someone can sneak in that way. If you have a large dog, then the door will by necessity be large enough that it can admit a human as well.
If you have motion-activated lights outside, they will turn on when your dog goes out into the yard after dark. If there are any raccoons, possums, or other pests out there, then the light coming on will let your beloved pet see them. They will be better able to defend themselves and chase them off.
You will also be able to look out the back window and see what’s happening in the yard. If there’s anything back there that poses a threat to your dog, you will see it and you can go back there to lend a hand.
They Can Protect Your Car
Finally, outdoor lights can protect your car. Maybe you don’t have a garage, so you keep the car at the back of your driveway. If you have a nice vehicle, then someone walking past might see it as a tempting target. Maybe they want to take it for a joyride, or perhaps they will sell it to a chop shop. This happens often in some major cities, but even smaller ones are not immune from these sorts of crimes of opportunity.
Permanent lights installed on the outside of your home can turn on at night and let a potential car thief see that you’re there and vigilant. You can even combine that with a car alarm if you like. The light and alarm combo makes it almost impossible for someone to steal your vehicle, since you will get a good look at them once the car alarm starts going off.
All these reasons should be more than enough to convince you to install permanent outdoor lights for safety. The good news is that they seldom cost all that much. Often, you can do the job yourself, even if you’re not very skilled at DIY projects.