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Lighting and Garden Security

Good lighting can put off or draw attention to a thief. The most appropriate form of lighting to use is high-efficiency low-energy lighting, controlled by a dusk-to-dawn switch so that it comes on only when it’s dark. This provides a constant and uniform level of light. It costs very little to run and helps to create a more reassuring environment. Lights that come on if they sense movement can be annoying to neighbours and dangerous to passing traffic. If you have these, make sure they are directed downwards. Fit lights out of easy reach – at a height of at least 2.5 metres (eight feet).

Make it look like you are at home when you are out

Remember, most burglaries happen when a house or flat is empty. They are also more likely to happen during the evening or at night. Don’t leave curtains closed during the daytime. Use time switches to turn on lights, radios and other appliances when you’re out. You can buy these from DIY shops. But don’t use them if they will show a burglar that you're out, for example, in ground floor rooms where the curtains have been left open. Keep all valuable items out of sight. If you’re going away:

• Cancel any milk or newspaper deliveries.

• Cut the lawn and so on before you go.

• Don’t put your home address on luggage labels when travelling to your destination.

• If you can, get a friend or neighbour to look after your home while you’re away. Ask them to collect your post, draw your curtains at night and open them in the mornings, and generally make the place look lived-in. Be prepared to do the same for them. Small safes, hidden and securely fixed, are ideal for spare chequebooks, credit cards, passports, jewellery and so on.

Alarms - Security Lighting

Don't Be Scared of the Dark

From the time we are children darkness can be scary - what is it hiding? Security lighting can help banish the fears that not being able to see around your property can create.

Installing lighting is not a difficult job, but DIY enthusiasts do sometimes become just that - over enthusiastic. The idea is to provide lighting around your home to increase security, not illuminate the neighbourhood.

You need to consider that harsh glaring light makes it difficult for you to see exactly what is outside, and it also creates deep shadows giving an intruder cover - while good lighting gives you security and acts as a deterrent to would-be intruders.

Types of Lighting

Ease of installation makes tungsten halogen floodlights one of the most popular options. It is worth remembering that no lamp needs to be brighter than 150w (2000 lumens).

The lights need to be sited so that they illuminate the area around your property. They should not be installed in such a way that they light up the street when someone walks down it, into your neighbours gardens or even so that they shine into their windows causing them nuisance.

It is easy to judge - just check at night that the lights aren’t shining directly at someone else’s property, or even that they are pitched at such a height they could affect their vision when walking down their path.

If you do get a complaint explain how you will try to counter it by adjusting the light or even fitting a shield to deflect the beam.

If your system is fitted with a timer use it sensibly to only operate when needed - it will save money and annoyance.

It is worth looking at the option of fitting a bulkhead or porch light. These are kinder to the environment and the purse as they use less electricity. They can be left on all night and as they use just 9/11w or (600/900 lumens) of fluorescent light.

The light is gentler - reducing glare and casting fewer shadows. As the lights are usually mounted lower than the floodlight systems they tend to create less problems for neighbours.

Detectors

Detectors often come as part of a floodlighting package the object is that they should sense the presence of a person and illuminate the security lighting - but when badly installed they can also pick up small animals causing the lights to go on and off so often they can annoy the property owner and the neighbours. Lets face it switching them off altogether because they are a nuisance doesn’t solve anything.

It is worth sourcing a system which has separate detectors which can be aimed more accurately than the ones which are fitted directly to the floodlight.

Detectors can also be fitted to the bulkhead or porch light systems.

Plus Points

When used correctly security lighting brings added peace of mind and the advantage of being able to see if there is someone in your garden. They also provide you with illumination to get indoors. Lights can also be a help to neighbours, a lamp strategically placed to help people using shared garages, for example, is very welcome.

Lighting can be cheap to run and easy to install, but if you do need help and advice it is always worth calling in an expert.

Gardens, gates and fences

Prevent intruders getting to the back and sides of your home by installing strong fencing or gates.

Check for weak spots where a thief could get into your garden, for example, a low or sagging fence, or a back gate with a weak lock.

A thorny hedge along the boundary of your property can put thieves off. But make sure that passers-by can still see the front of your home so that a burglar can’t work without being seen. Burglars don’t like gravel, it’s noisy to walk on. Don’t build pergolas, gazebos and so on too near to the house, they can help thieves reach upper windows.

Solid fences or walls (particularly those with a flat or rounded top) are relatively easy for a burglar to climb over. Fixing trellising to the top can make it more difficult.

Do not use barbed or razor wire, or broken glass – you could be held legally responsible for any injuries caused. You can get safer alternatives that are designed not to cut or injure. Passageways at the side and back of your home

Fit a strong, lockable, high gate across the passageway to stop a thief getting to the back of your home where they can work without being disturbed. If you share a passageway with a neighbour, ask their permission and for help with the costs.

However, if the passage is a right of way (for example, where it connects two streets rather than just allowing access to the back of a limited number of houses), you would need special permission to fit
a gate from your local authority or the courts.

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