The Importance of Security Lighting

Maybe there’s been a spate of break-ins in your area, possibly even affecting your property. Or maybe you’d just rather be safe than sorry. Whatever the reason, the team at Merrivale Electrical Ltd has the skills and expertise to recommend and install the right set of security lamps.

We offer a range of options, including PIR wall lights and IP-rated sensor options, so there’s something to suit all requirements and budgets. To request a visit and no-obligation consultation with one of our skilled electricians, phone our Poole team today on 01202 389197.

The importance of security lights is largely known, and the fear of or feeling of unease when in dark places is something that’s deeply rooted in us from birth. Security lights help with this as they help you see what you’re doing and what and who is around you. In addition, they serve as a deterrent against would-be assailants who prefer the cover of darkness.

One of the biggest reasons for outdoor lighting is to keep away thieves, vandals, and assailants. Such individuals will recognise the presence of lights very quickly and note that they can be more easily detected. In addition, if cameras are present, lights enable the cameras to pick up these intruders. And so, most will move onto easier targets.

Often, properties have ‘dark spots’, where it’s easy for a person to hide. Unfortunately, these spots are also prime locations for ‘slip-and-fall’ accidents, as you cannot see what’s in front of you. Outdoor lights help mitigate such issues.

It’s a common belief that properties in “safe” neighbourhoods don’t require outdoor lighting and that outdoor lights only serve a purpose in high-crime areas. In reality, your property is more likely to be targeted, especially if it’s larger, more expensive, and conveys wealth.

The Illuminating Engineering Society states that security lights should be set up to anticipate potential threats and potential predators. In addition, outdoor lighting correctly positioned can help with “target hardening”, which is a term that refers to how hard it is for criminals to plan and carry out a break-in.

Burglars are mostly opportunists and will choose targets that present a low risk. Outdoor lights make it exceedingly more difficult, so burglars are likely to skip any property with them altogether.

More than just Security

But security isn’t the only purpose of exterior lighting. Many people have lighting installed to create the right ambience, accentuating the aesthetics of their properties. And some simply have lights installed so they can see what they’re doing when taking out the bins or walking out to the garage or shed.

Security lighting also helps in the following areas:

Security Light Options

Regardless of whether you believe you need outdoor lights or not, we at Merrivale Electrical Ltd always recommend installing some in key areas. There are two options customers can choose between – active and passive lighting.

As the name implies, active lighting works by actively detecting any motion within the sensor’s coverage area. As soon as movement is detected, the lights engage. Other security elements can also trigger, such as security cameras. Once the motion is no longer detected, the lights switch off.

Passive lighting refers to lights that are “static”. These lights usually turn on at night and stay on until its daylight. They may have light sensors that detect when it’s daytime, or they may be on a timer. This ensures that they only come on between sunset and sunrise.

We recommend a combination of active and passive lighting, though this will depend on the size and layout of the property. Passive lighting is easier to spot and avoid, so active lights can help catch intruders in areas they perceive to be concealed. However, outdoor lighting must comply with local ordinances regarding wattage, mounting height, etc. They must also not present a nuisance to your neighbours.

Types of Security Lightng

Several types of security lighting are available with different options suited to different setups. The team at Merrivale Electrical Ltd can advise you on the best lights for your outdoor setup. These types include:

Motion-activated lights are the most popular option and form an integral part of a property’s security. Static lighting can help deter intruders but is far easier to circumvent. Intruders can note where the exposed areas are and plan a route that bypasses these areas. In addition, motion-activated lights cannot be predicted in advance and so can catch intruders off guard.

They are also more energy-efficient than having lights on all night; they only come on when triggered. In addition, built-in sensors ensure that motion-activated lights only come on between dusk and dawn. Plus, your neighbours will be far less likely to take issue by not having lights on all night.

But what about wildlife and pets? Motion sensors can be calibrated so that they do not trigger when a small animal, like a fox or cat, wanders past.

Timed security lighting is the next option available. These wall lights are timed to come on at dusk and go off at dawn. The lights stay on overnight, providing directional lighting that makes it more difficult for intruders to slip in quietly.

Floodlights are yet another option available to those seeking security wall lights. These are equipped with powerful LED bulbs that light a wider area for just a fraction of the energy consumed by incandescent bulbs.

These lights are unsuitable for timed operation and must be installed in smart locations and aimed correctly. This is because they can keep people awake if left on and pointed in the general direction of neighbouring properties.

Next up, there are High-Intensity Discharge (HID) security lights. HID lights are perfectly suited to properties with large expanses of land where floodlights wouldn’t work as effectively. These commercial-grade lights are geared more towards commercial properties and not private residences, though residences in rural areas with a lot of land will benefit.

Exterior soffit lights are installed on the overhang in front of a property’s entrance (soffit). These lights extend the effective range of porch lights, providing a greater deal of illumination so you can more easily identify visitors. It also eliminates shadows around the entrance, deterring would-be intruders from trying to break in.

Lastly, there are outdoor couch lights which are a more stylised option that is intended to complement the property’s appearance. They do this while still providing exceptional illumination for driveways and footpaths.

What We Can Do?

At Merrivale Electrical Ltd, we can help by designing and installing a network of outdoor lights that fully cover your property. Or we can “strategic” lights to cover “dark spots”. We possess a wealth of experience in this area and have set up outdoor lighting systems on properties of all shapes and sizes.

Our experience is not just in installing outdoor lights strictly for security. We also know the best ways to install lighting that maximises aesthetics. For instance, we can match your security lighting to other outdoor lighting you may have present, along with the style of your property.

Plus, we can also establish a bespoke maintenance plan whereby we come across periodically to inspect, test, and service your outdoor lighting. For example, we can check for burned out or broken bulbs, damaged or broken fixtures, obstacles obscuring the lights, dirty lenses, damaged components, wiring, etc.

When investing in security wall lights, there’s one company you need to call for professional, reliable, and affordable service – Merrivale Electrical Ltd. We’ve many years of experience in the industry and have gained a stellar reputation. This is backed by an ever-growing customer base, many of whom wouldn’t hesitate to recommend our services to friends, family, and associates.

We’re members of the National Inspection Council for Electrical Contracting (NICEIC). This demonstrates that our electricians adhere to strict safety standards and always provide a high-quality standard across all services. In addition, NICEIC approval guarantees peace of mind by providing customers with confidence in our abilities.

if you feel that your home or place of work could benefit from the addition of security lighting, make sure to give the team at Merrivale Electrical Ltd a call on 07976 892901 today. We’ll get your new security lights installed in no time, so you can feel safer and more secure.

Contact Us