Outdoor lighting gives beauty and dimension to the home. Lighting is also an essential part of an effective home security system. Outdoor security lights prevent potential intruders from targeting your home and increase the risk of being caught. The best lighting design allows physical and facial recognition, minimizes hiding places and increases your sense of security.

You don't have to light up your home like a Christmas tree to feel safe. Excessive lighting can draw unwanted attention to valuables in your home or business and cause light pollution. In this guide, we provide an overview of emergency lighting and simple tips to help you identify potential safety hazards, select the best emergency lights, and locate them to ensure your safety.

When designing an emergency lighting system, identify potential security risks by examining the perimeter of the home, investigating the crime history in the neighborhood, and considering the effects of additional lighting in the surrounding area. Also consider local regulations such as light pollution and energy savings.

Complete the following steps to determine your lighting needs:

Evaluate your home and neighborhood

Before buying a home, do some exploring and ask the dealer or seller to talk to neighbors for a real picture of the area. Neighbors are a great source of information about the community and its people. As the environment develops and grows over time, evaluate your home to see if any additional precautions are needed. When evaluating your home and neighborhood, consider the following factors:

Know Your Value - Identify desired or expensive items on the property such as garden decorations, statues, and vehicles and make sure they are secure or locked. Household appliances such as hammers, screwdrivers and ladders must be stored in a locked canopy so that they cannot be used to enter the house.

Be informed - You don't have to be a drug addict to know what's going on in your neighborhood or city. Apps like AlertID can provide you with information about criminal activity in the area.

Be a good neighbor - Your neighbors can be as effective as an expensive alarm system. Talk to your neighbors often and build trust. A good, reliable neighbor can monitor your house while you are away and report suspicious activity to the police. If you have the opportunity, you can attend board meetings or join a ward stewardship group.

Explore the Earth - Explore the landscape and perimeter of your home at different times of day to identify potential safety hazards. Look for dark areas or dark shadows around houses, garages, and yards that provide potential hiding places for climbers. In many cities, police conduct free home security inspections to identify areas of focus.