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Home Security Tips: Should you leave your porch light on or off?

20th July 2022

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Securing your home when you sleep is critical because you never know what may happen while you’re unconscious. Aside from keeping the doors locked, you can also employ lights to reinforce your perimeter security!

Porch lights are one of the most used outdoor lighting for home security. It guides you into your home and keeps burglars away from your doors. When you combine porch lights with your surveillance camera, you’ll be able to see a clear view of the people knocking on your door.

Although, keeping them on 24/7 is not the most effective approach. There is a time when you should keep it on and turn it off. Here’s when!

When to keep your porch lights on?

Other than when you’re staying home at night, there are other instances when you need to keep your porch lights on.

If you or your family plans to return late

Leaving your lights on until all the residents of your home arrive will not only keep those inside safe but also those who are out. With the porch lights on, it will help you or your family members walk to the door quickly and unlock it with ease.

If you’re remaining home at night

When you have your porch lights on and your indoor lights shining through your windows, it will alert the burglars that there’s someone in. It will deter them from entering your property because they’ll be easily spotted.

wall lights on a wood front wall

If you’re leaving your kids at home

Similar to when your entire family is at home, leave your porch lights on when your kids are home alone in the evening. Also, turn on your indoor lights to make it seem like more people are at home than just your children.

If you’re expecting deliveries

Switching on your porch lights when you have deliveries will help the delivery person find you home quickly and remind you to pick up your parcels before going to bed.

When to keep your porch lights off?

Now that you know the best times to keep your porch lights on, here’s when you should turn them off.

If you’re going on vacations

It would be best if you switched off your porch lights during the day when you’re going on a vacation. Having it constantly lit can signal burglars that no one is home. Have your trusted neighbours turn them on at night, or you can invest in a light timer. That way, you just need to program your lights, creating an illusion that someone is home.

If you’re going to bed

When you’re turning your indoor lights off, don’t leave out your porch lights. When there are constant changes in your lights, it will suggest that someone is using them. If you want, you can use porch lights with motion sensors, so they will turn on whenever there’s a movement within your property.

If you’re feeling anxious when you’re alone

While leaving your porch light on is the obvious route when you’re feeling anxious alone, it may do more damage than good. Burglars often observe the properties that they plan to break in. If they see a pattern that you have your lights on every time you’re alone, then it will leave you more prone to danger.

If you live in rural areas

In rural areas, you may be safer without your porch lights on. Even if you’re not living in an isolated area, rural areas usually don’t have 24/7 city lights. If you have your porch lights on, it may attract people who have ill intentions rather than fend them off.

How to use porch lights to improve your home security?

If you want to use your porch lights more efficiently for your home’s security, here are some tips.

Tip #1: Use motion sensor porch lights

If you’re still canvassing and considering which porch lights to get, then opt for smart outdoor wall light. Integrating it with your security camera and lock will strengthen your home’s security system. With this, you’ll be able to monitor and control things through your smartphone.

Tip #2: Incorporate home automation hubs

With this technology, you’ll have a more convenient way of managing your lighting system and other devices linked through the hub. It will also be easier for you to address an emergency since all you need to do is say the words, which will happen as you command.

Having porch lights will not only elevate your home’s facade but will also strengthen the security around it. Now that you know the dos and don’ts, keep reminding yourself so you don’t forget it! If you’re looking for premium-quality LED lights for your front porch, visit our website, Simple Lighting. We have a comprehensive collection of not just outdoor but indoor and commercial lights as well!