What Type of Lighting Do You Have on Your External Doors?

When filling out your Fortify Form after purchasing your Fortify Plan, it’s important to assess the type of lighting you have around your home’s external doors. Proper lighting improves both safety and security, making your home less attractive to intruders and providing you with visibility during the night. From no lighting to motion-activated lighting, understanding your exterior lighting setup is essential for creating a personalized security plan. Here’s a breakdown of the most common external door lighting options to help you complete your Fortify Form.

1. No Lighting

If there is no lighting on your external doors, it’s important to note this in your Fortify Form. Homes without outdoor lighting are at a higher risk of break-ins because dark entryways provide cover for intruders.

Characteristics of No Lighting on Doors:

  • External doors are not illuminated at night, making it difficult to see who is approaching or leaving.
  • Increased safety risks, such as tripping hazards, due to poor visibility.
  • Lack of outdoor security lighting makes your home more vulnerable.

Security Considerations for No Lighting:

  • Homes with no lighting on their external doors should prioritize installing exterior lights, especially around front doors, back doors, and side entrances.
  • Consider energy-efficient outdoor lighting solutions such as solar-powered lights or LED fixtures to add security without increasing electricity costs.

If your home has no lighting, be sure to include this in your Fortify Form so your Fortify Plan can recommend appropriate lighting solutions for improved safety and security.

2. Light Switch

A simple light switch allows you to manually control your outdoor lights, giving you flexibility in when the lights are on or off. While basic, this setup provides homeowners control over their exterior door light options.

Characteristics of Light Switch for Outdoor Lights:

  • Lights are manually turned on or off with a switch, typically located inside the home.
  • Allows homeowners to control when external lights are used, offering versatility.
  • Commonly used for front and back doors, garages, and patios.

Lighting for Home Security with a Switch:

  • While convenient, light switches rely on you to remember to turn them on. If forgotten, external doors could be left in darkness.
  • For enhanced security, consider adding automatic lighting for doors, such as timers or motion sensors, that operate without manual input.

If your home uses a light switch for exterior lighting, include this information in your Fortify Form so your Fortify Plan can assess whether additional automation or upgrades are needed.

3. Timer-Controlled Lighting

Timer-controlled lighting offers a more convenient and automated solution for exterior lighting. With this setup, lights are programmed to turn on and off at specific times, ensuring your home is always well-lit during key hours, such as after dark.

Characteristics of Timer-Controlled Lighting:

  • Lights automatically turn on or off based on a pre-set schedule.
  • Reduces the need for manual control, providing a reliable way to light your exterior doors.
  • Ideal for homes that need outdoor security lighting during evening and nighttime hours.

Advantages of Timer-Controlled Lighting:

  • Timer-controlled lighting ensures that your home is consistently illuminated, even if you’re not at home or forget to turn the lights on manually.
  • This type of lighting is also energy-efficient, as it allows you to limit lighting use to only when it’s needed.

If your home uses timer-controlled lighting, be sure to include this in your Fortify Form so that your Fortify Plan can recognize the automated security features in place.

4. Always-On Lighting

Always-on lighting keeps your external lights turned on throughout the night, providing continuous illumination for your entryways. While this method ensures that your home is always lit, it can lead to higher energy costs if not properly managed with energy-efficient lighting solutions.

Characteristics of Always-On Lighting:

  • Lights remain on for extended periods, usually from dusk until dawn.
  • Provides consistent illumination for external doors, driveways, and walkways.
  • Can be combined with smart lighting for doors to allow remote control and monitoring.

Security Benefits of Always-On Lighting:

  • Always-on lighting offers a strong deterrent against intruders, as a brightly lit home is less likely to be targeted.
  • However, this setup may consume more energy, so consider using LED bulbs or other energy-efficient outdoor lighting options to minimize costs.

If your home has always-on lighting, include this in your Fortify Form to ensure your security plan takes full advantage of your constant lighting setup.

5. Motion-Activated Lighting

Motion-activated lighting is one of the most popular and efficient security lighting options for homes. These lights only turn on when movement is detected near your external doors, making them a powerful deterrent for intruders while conserving energy.

Characteristics of Motion-Activated Lighting:

  • Lights are triggered by motion, turning on when someone approaches and turning off after a set period.
  • Ideal for homes that want security without wasting energy on always-on lighting.
  • Provides a surprise element that can startle intruders or unwanted visitors.

Advantages of Motion-Activated Lighting for Home Security:

  • Motion-activated lighting is highly efficient and effective at protecting entry points, as the sudden illumination can deter potential intruders.
  • This system also saves energy by only lighting up when needed, making it one of the best energy-efficient outdoor lighting options available.

If your home features motion-activated lighting, make sure to note this in your Fortify Form so that your security plan can leverage the benefits of automatic lighting systems.