Do porch lights deter crime? The light also deters burglars who tend to avoid a home that looks occupied. But leaving the light on isn't an automatic guarantee of safety. Burglars pay attention to how and when you turn on porch and deck lighting.
For the average break-in, the presence of lighting is not even a factor as daylight would overshadow any security lighting. So do outdoor lights deter crime? They can, but only for a small portion of potential burglaries.
Outdoor security lighting is effective if there are people — neighbors, pedestrians or police — to actually see suspicious activity. "If you're in a rural area, you're basically in a secluded area — you're better off turning off because the lights would help an intruder actually see," Felson says.
A study by the Office for National Statistics also found that 60% of burglaries take place during the day. More often than not, your constant night-time lights won't make a difference to whether or not you're burgled.
Leaving your outside lights on at night can give the illusion that someone is home, and help neighbors keep watch of your property. However, leaving your lights on all day and night can be a clear indicator that nobody is at the property, which works against you.
When it comes to your home's security, porch lights are critical. They guide you into your house at night and keep burglars away.
Burglars are always searching for unoccupied homes. So having your lights on 24 hours a day while you are out for a holiday is just like a beacon to them: “I'm not at home!” And the combination of lights on and blinds closed could also create an attractive location for the burglars.
Your attic is not likely to be visited by a burglar because they are usually hard to find and access. So, it is always a good idea to store valuables in attic storage containers.
One of the most concerning things that comes as a result of leaving the lights on is our carbon dioxide emissions. This is the primary greenhouse gas that is emitted through human activities, the continual pattern of leaving lights on included. Over time, these emissions are incredibly harmful to the environment.
You can install additional security measures, including cameras, spotlights, and alarms. If that isn't feasible or necessary, you should at least either install your solar lights up high or set them in concrete. Doing one of those two things will make them much more difficult to steal.
CFL Lighting
A general rule-of-thumb is this: If you will be out of a room for 15 minutes or less, leave it on. If you will be out of a room for more than 15 minutes, turn it off.
Some people leave lights on when they're out to deter burglars, some leave hallway lights on when they're sleeping because they're scared of the dark.
Alarm system- Consider setting up a home security system with cameras. You might even qualify for discounts on your homeowners insurance. Landscaping – Try to keep shrubs and bushes trimmed so burglars have fewer places to hide.
The most common times for break-ins occur between 10 am and 3 pm. Rather than being guarded by night, most burglars choose the daytime to attempt a break-in, targeting homes when they believe no one will be present.
Burglaries usually happen in the middle of the day.
FBI burglary data in 2021 showed that 196,684 of all reported residential burglaries occurred in the daytime compared to 154,723 at night.
These are the most common points of entry for home break-ins: Front door: 34% of burglars twist the doorknob and walk right in. First-floor windows: 23% use a first-floor open window to break into your home. Back door: 22% come in through the back door.
Remember that the vast majority of home invaders are chasing easy-to-sell valuables and aren't there with the intent of harming residents. According to the FBI, most burglars don't intentionally choose targets when residents are home, so they're surprised to discover people in the house.
Past trauma or experience – Scelerophobia can be induced by experiencing or witnessing criminal activity. For example, your home might have been burgled or the home of someone in your family or in your street. Genetics – You're more likely to develop scelerophobia if a direct relative has a phobia or OCD.
While we hope that no one tries to break into your home, a common tactic burglars use is to knock on someone's door to see if anyone is there before entering. However, even if someone isn't trying to break into your home, they could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, which can be just as dangerous.
The main bedroom is known as the most common place for valuables to be kept, which is why it's often the first port of call for the burglar on the lookout for cash. They'll look for cash in cupboards, drawers, under the mattress and also in those places you thought they'd never look, like shoe boxes or vases.
First of all, a burglar will usually only break into places that have sure treasures. So closing your blinds or curtains will prevent this exact information from being known, which cuts the chance of your place being burglarized in ha half.