Sometimes you don’t need an outdoor security camera. Many homes use one of the simplest strategies to deter burglary and other crimes without the need for surveillance. When it comes to lighting an area for security purposes, the different techniques are dusk-to-dawn lighting, motion activated, and combination high/low lighting.

In the first technique, the concept is very basic. A well lit area will discourage would-be criminals because they no longer have the security of hiding in the dark. It is a basic play on psychology that people will be less likely to break the law when they feel they might be watched.

The system works by a using a photocell that reads lighting levels of an area. When the lighting drops below a determined level, it switches on the lights and stay on all night.

The cost of running electricity and replacement lamps is the downside of this technique. Since the lights are on all night lamps burn out much faster and the electricity bill can really add up. Also, since the lights always look the same, there is nothing to alert anyone nearby of suspicious activity.

One of the more popular techniques used is motion-activated lighting. This is much more cost effective than leaving the lights on all night as in the dusk-to-dawn technique. It also helps to alert passersby and neighbors when there is suspicious activity due to the change in light levels. In the same concept of the first technique, a would-be offender would stop in his tracks when a flood of light suddenly illuminates the area and hopefully turn the other direction.

In the combination high/low lighting technique, the first two techniques discussed are combined. It is the setup of having a lower intensity light on all night, and a high beam motion activated light.

Its costs is not quite as low as the motion activated system but not as expensive as leaving the lights on all night. It also provides a nice glow all night which is comforting for most people.

Lighting as a security measure is very effective for the simplicity and relatively low cost measures that they are. The continuous lights from the dusk-to-dawn and combo strategies make people feel more comfortable. It’s perfect for needs that are less demanding than a full-on outdoor security camera system.

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