Interior Security Lighting

For your interior lighting, it is best to use light bulbs no larger than 60 watts, unless specified by manufacturer instructions. A bulb of too high wattage can lead to fire through overheating.

• Stairways
  
  One of the most important places to install lighting is on stairways. If you are only able to install one light, place it in the center of the stairway to shorten the shadows produced by an individual walking up or down the staircase. When installing two lights, place one one-third of the way up, and the other one-third of the way down to light the stairs, as well as the landings.
  
• Entry
  
  Another area that benefits greatly from sufficient lighting is the entryway. Guests to your home will appreciate your efforts when they can immediately see the layout of the entry area. Not only guests will benefit, but longtime residents will be able to see what is in front of them, in case the children or pets left something behind that is easy to trip over.
  

An ideal light for the stairway, entryway, closet, basement, and garage is the Entry/Utility Light. In Automatic Mode, light turns on when you open the door and turns off 30 seconds after you close it. Photo sensor disables auto operation in a lighted area to conserve battery power. In Manual Mode, light can be operated by pulling down on pull-cord.

• Bathroom
  
  Each bathroom should have some sort of dim lighting for night. Consider installing a small night light that plugs right into the wall, such as the LimeLight Night Light. This night light is almost the size of the socket itself, consumes only three one-hundreds (3/100ths) of a watt, and is guaranteed to never burn out. It will plug into a standard electrical outlet just like a regular night light. The light lies flush against the wall, but has a slightly curved face, helping it distribute light a little better. It will never get hot, making it ideal for homes with children.
  

Exterior Security Lighting

Lighting the outside of your home can greatly improve your chances of thwarting a burglar. When planning the exterior lighting for your home’s security, consider the controls that you plan to use. Some will offer greater ease of use than others. For example, motion-sensing lights automatically turn on when anything moves within a set distance from the sensor. Remote lighting controls are also great for ease of use. You can illuminate the driveway from the comfort of your couch, or turn on your interior house lights from your car as your pull into the garage.

Photocells or timers can automatically turn on lights. Timers must be reset if the electricity goes out, but photocells are relatively maintenance free. With a photocell the lights will come on automatically at dark, and turn off at dawn. Mercury vapor and high-pressure sodium lights are also options. They are more difficult to maintain, but offer a great deal of light.

Important Areas for Exterior Security Lighting

• Front Entry
• Back Door
• Ground-Floor Level Windows
• Sliding Doors
• Front Steps
• House Numbers
• Keyhole
• Vulnerable Areas Around Garage

Security Lighting on Walkways

Illuminating your entrance walkways with a post lantern can increase the lighting all the way to the house. In addition, installing low-profile lights along your pathways can offer light for your footsteps, especially on icy winter evenings. The Solar Flood Light provides enough light to act as a theft deterrent, and it lights your walkways to prevent trips and falls.

On the top of each accent light is a photovoltaic panel that charges an internal battery when exposed to sunlight. At dusk, the light will automatically turn on. The LED light source technology provides longer run times than many other solar lights, and enough light to mark the edge of a path or walkway. Since it generates its own power, no wiring is required, making it very easy to install. It can be mounted with either the ground stakes or on a vertical surface using the special wall bracket which is included.

Flood Lights

One light to add to your landscape for added security is a motion-sensing flood light. A flood light is an excellent choice for your garage, garden shed, or cabin. The Solar Flood Light has a photovoltaic panel that can be mounted up to 15 feet away for placement where it will receive maximum solar exposure. The panel will convert the sunlight's energy into electricity and store it to power the two 10 watt quartz adjustable halogen lights during the evening. When the motion sensor is triggered, the lights will remain on for 90 seconds after motion was last detected. Up to 120 "on" cycles can be stored on a full charge.