How The Type Of Light Bulbs You Use Can Keep Your Unoccupied Home Safe

Leaving a home unoccupied for any length of time, such as when going on vacation or moving from one place to the next, can be risky. These properties are more at stake for break-ins, vandalism, and arson. Even if you live in a neighborhood where you would not expect anything to happen when away for a trip, a few well-placed light bulbs could help give the illusion that someone is home, helping to deter those who would be otherwise inclined to welcome themselves in.

Utilizing a smart lighting system, or even a single smart bulb, along with timed lighting, could help create more safety for your unoccupied home. Since many thieves are attracted to properties that seem low risk, a house with lights that frequently turn on and off certainly doesn't seem ideal. Before you head out of town this weekend, consider a simple home security update using light bulbs that could make your home safer.

A smart lightbulb doesn't look any different than the one in your lamp, but it gives you more control over how and when it's used. Because they link to the app on your smartphone, the lightbulb's functionality is always within your control. Though various options exist, such as those linking through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, the ultimate benefit is that this type of resource gives you the power to turn it on and off from anywhere, even while you're sitting on a beach across the country. A simple toggle on your phone and the light will turn on and off.

Placing smart bulbs throughout your residence can add security to the space. A sign that someone is away is if the property is dark the entire day or if the lights are on but are never turned off in the middle of the night. With smart technology, you can turn the light bulbs on for a few hours at night, perhaps during the day or whenever you want to give the illusion of someone being home. Another way to use these smart bulbs is to set them up to turn on whenever someone opens a door or window. If a security sensor is somehow triggered, the lights turn on automatically, sending an instant alert to you that there's a risk.

To enhance the security of your residence, use light to your full advantage. While smart bulbs are a fantastic tool, there are a few other ways to use this seemingly simple device to protect your home. One option is to use a timed lightbulb. This simply turns on at the time you've set. Consider additional options for outside, such as security lights that automatically come on when they detect motion. Placing these near doorways around your home helps to deter people looking for a quick and easy way in. You can also use solar lighting along pathways and by the front door for a similar effect, and they don't need to be hard-wired since they are solar-powered.

Finally, take things one step further with the use of a light bulb camera. These are lightbulbs that you would commonly use in your home, but they use infrared light to detect whenever there is some movement in the area. Some are smart enough to tell the difference between the raccoon trying to get into the trash can and a person walking up to your front door. The cameras tend to be a bit more affordable compared to a full-on security system, and they provide you with a way to discretely monitor your residence through a phone app.