With the Easter weekend just around the corner, many homeowners will be preparing to go on a well needed break. But with crime statistics the way they are, every South African leaving their most precious assets and valuables behind in an unoccupied home is often left wondering about how safe these belongings actually are.
The truth of the matter is that most burglars tend to operate on an opportunistic basis – they are more likely to pick a home where their movements will be less easily detected, and an unoccupied home provides the ideal opportunity. Here they will be able to break in at their leisure, take what they want, load it up and leave, without being detected. Traditional security measures such as burglar bars, high walls and fences, security gates and alarm systems are all great deterrents, but lighting is another security measure that often doesn’t get its dues.
Installing a home security lighting system could mean the difference between you becoming a victim of a home burglary or not. Says Melissa Davidson from The Lighting Warehouse: “Lighting can be a very effective means of scaring off potential burglars. A tried and tested method is making it seem like the homeowners are at home, even when they are not. Those who perpetrate breaking and entering crimes will be less likely to target a home that has lights on and would usually rather opt for houses that are dark and obviously unoccupied.”
She says that in this regard, most South Africans are well versed on the benefits of installing outdoor security lights, but that a full security lighting system has to comprise both indoor and outdoor security lighting. “The majority of South African homes have some kind of outdoor floodlight, usually with a motion sensor, which is a great security aid. However, what about the interior of our homes – after all, it is here where we are most vulnerable,” she notes.
Davidson says that, contrary to popular belief, indoor lighting systems are not the sole domain of expensive, high-tech home automation systems, and in fact, simple yet effective indoor lighting systems can be installed in homes quickly, easily and inexpensively. Most lighting systems can automatically turn several lamps “on” at sunset, and “off” after a preset time, everyday, 365 days a year, as well as during the night, making it look as if there is somebody at home, whether you are on vacation, out for the night or merely sleeping in your bedroom..
So how does it work? You simply insert the receiver switches into the wall mains outlet sockets and connect the plugs of the selected floor or table lamps to the receiver switches. You then place the light sensor on a window ledge facing towards the outdoors, but not in direct sunlight and not near bright lights. At sunset, the light sensor will recognise that it is getting dark and transmit wireless “on” signals in a sequential way to the three receiver switches, turning the lamps “on”. Then, at a preset time at the end of the evening, the light sensor wirelessly transmits “off” signals, turning the lamps “off”. It can also be set to turn each lamp “on” randomly for 10 minutes throughout the night.
The remote can also be used to turn the lights “on” and “off” from a distance, saving you the trouble of having to get up and turn them on manually
Says Davidson: “Aside from added security, it also makes your life easier when you’re at home. You won’t have to go around to each lamp in your home and manually turn them “on” and “off”. Also, you will never have to arrive home to darkness again – instead all the necessary lights will be switched on to welcome you when you get back.”
Furthermore Davidson says that it is a green solution, as homeowners needn’t leave their main ceiling lights on while they are away for the evening or away on holiday. Whilst turning CFLs “on” and “off” repeatedly is not recommended as it cuts short the life of the CFL globe, but with lighting automation systems the “on” and “off” function is generally a lot longer; thus your CFL globe should not be harmed. By using energy saving globes in your floor and table lamps together with the Twilight Switch system, you can contribute to a greener world by reducing energy costs and CO2 emissions,” she concludes
It couldn’t be easier to control your indoor lighting – just purchase the system, plug it in, set your times, and you are ready to go! – Antonella Desi
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