Not only does winter tend to be pretty cold and unpleasant, but with nights drawing in at 4pm, there are increased opportunities for criminals to break in unnoticed.
Recent data collected by Eurocell shows that your home is more vulnerable during these months as, on average, domestic burglaries increase by 40% over the winter. Therefore, it’s important to be proactive and take steps to protect your property.
A great way to increase visibility around your home and deter potential intruders is to install security lights. With a huge range of security lights available, it can be tricky to know the right product for you; that’s why the team here at Astra Security Systems has prepared this handy guide.
So, what factors should you consider when choosing security lights?
Bulb Brightness
It’s important to consider how bright you want your security lights to be; too dim and they may be ineffective, too bright and you might create unwanted glare and get on the wrong side of your neighbours.
Furthermore, if your security lights are deemed to be causing light pollution, they could be classed as a ‘statutory nuisance’ under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 and you may be asked to remove them. Therefore, it’s vital to find the right bulbs and ensure your lights are positioned in a way that causes minimal disruption.
Placement
If you’d like to install security lights around your property, it’s best to consult a trusted security specialist, like Astra Security Systems. Our experts can assess the needs of your property and provide advice on which areas are most vulnerable and the optimal location for each security light. It’s generally recommended to position these over entry points and any especially dark spaces, such as a side passage.
Budget
With such a wide range of security lights on the market, it’s important to decide on a price beforehand and find the right balance between quality and affordability. It’s important to bear in mind that, while cheaper options might save you money upfront, they might not be as durable or reliable in the long run. Here at Astra Security Systems, we supply a wide array of products to suit any budget.
Energy Efficiency
With energy bills rising all the time, it’s worth considering how energy efficient your security lights are. LED lights and solar-powered lights are a perfect solution if you’re looking to reduce your energy consumption and save costs without compromising on quality.
Additional Features
As smart homes become more commonplace, smart security lights are growing in popularity. These innovative security lights can be remotely controlled from your smartphone for greater convenience, plus, they often include several features to enhance functionality, such as motion detection and real-time notifications. Some models can even be integrated into smart home systems, such as Alexa and Google Home, to allow for seamless automation and voice control.
Types of Security Lights
There are numerous different types of security lights available, such as:
- Motion sensor lights: These lights are triggered by movement so they will only be activated when needed.
- Dusk-to-dawn lights: As the name suggests, these lights are programmed to a consistent schedule, switching on at sunset and off at sunrise.
- Solar-powered lights: Solar-powered lights don’t require wiring and are instead charged by solar panels during the day.
- Floodlights: Ideal for large commercial areas that are vulnerable to crime, floodlights are broad-beamed, high-intensity lights.
Looking to upgrade the security of your property for winter? For more than 40 years, the team here at Astra Security Systems has been supplying and installing a range of security lights at home and businesses across Maidstone, Medway, Tonbridge and beyond – contact us to find out more.
