According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in 2013 about 2 million burglaries were committed in the U.S., representing tens of millions of dollars in losses, not to mention the fear and anxiety that go along with having your space violated by criminals. Every year, alarm and security companies come up with new devices and technology aimed at thwarting criminals, and every year crooks find new ways to “game” those systems. But throughout the years, one security tactic has remained amazingly effective, no matter what skills would-be crooks wind up mastering: Security lighting.
Properly and professional installed, security lighting directs light where it’s needed to prevent crime and halt criminal activity. But the key to being effective lies in having the lighting system planned and installed by an experienced contractor.
Too Much Light Is Not Good
On first consideration, it may seem like adding as much light as possible is the best way to keep burglars at bay. But in fact, studies have shown that providing too much light can actually make it more difficult for your property to be seen by watchful neighbors or passing police. Too many lights also can cause glare, and that can result in people actively avoiding looking at your property – which is just what burglars want.
Balancing the amount of light and the types of lights on a property is the key to achieving the ideal mix that will provide the greatest boost in security.
Even if you have a system that was professionally installed, having it reassessed is a good idea. That’s because research into the effects of too much light or light directed ineffectively is relatively recent, and your system may need to be adjusted to suit new data.
Upgrade Lighting to Downgrade Your Bills
Another reason to give an existing system a second look – or to consider adding a system if you don’t already have one – is to take advantage of new technology that has resulted in significant cost decreases. Just in the past couple of years we’ve seen the advent of LED lights that are designed to offer plenty of lighting while minimizing the use of electricity. As a result, you can increase your security without substantially increasing your electric bills – and if you have an older system in place, you’re likely to see a decrease in your bill. As an added bonus, many insurance companies consider lighting to be a worthwhile enhancement as well, and that can mean a decrease in homeowner’s insurance premiums.
Having your security lighting reassessed doesn’t take long, and by working with an established company like Corbin Electric, you can feel assured the assessment will be conducted using the most up-to-date techniques and information so you get a custom plan based specifically on your unique needs. If you’re ready to schedule an assessment for your property, give us a call today at 732-536-0444.