The One Place You're Probably Forgetting To Install Outdoor Lights For Home Safety

Beyond the standard role of illuminating the exterior of your home and improving curb appeal, outdoor lights are also crucial for improving your home's safety and security. It's common knowledge that burglars love dim areas because it makes it hard to detect them. So, homes without adequate lighting could easily become primary targets for their nefarious activities. However, simply installing outdoor lights at random points in your yard is not enough. A major tip for maximizing outdoor lighting to improve home security lies in the proper placement of these lights. Most people think only about entrances and walkways, but it'll interest you to know that the garage is one place you're probably forgetting to install outdoor lights for home safety. 

Garage doors are one of the major points of entry for people with bad intentions because, in most homes, they can gain access to the entire house from the garage. Accordingly, this is one of the best and safest places to install motion sensor lights. Having these lights over your garage provides important benefits relating to home safety and security. Firstly, motion sensor lights will make obstacles in your driveway more visible, making it safer for you or your guests to navigate your property when it's dark out. Additionally, your garage door will become unappealing to criminals when the area is well-lit once movement is detected. Having lights in this area would also complement your entire security system, as outdoor security cameras wouldn't do their work effectively without the right lighting at all points of your home.

Choosing the right outdoor lights for your garage can be a bit overwhelming because of the many options available. But solar-powered motion-sensor lights are like the Swiss Army knife of outdoor lighting: they're efficient, smart, and oh-so-convenient. Since these lights are powered by the sun, you don't have to worry about running up your electricity bill or dealing with complicated wiring. They charge during the day and automatically turn on at night, making them a hassle-free, energy-efficient option. Their reliance on the sun also makes these outdoor lights an eco-friendly choice that reduces your carbon footprint.

The motion sensor feature is what really sets these lights apart. Instead of staying on all night, they only activate or get bright when they detect movement. This not only saves energy but also serves as a deterrent. Imagine a potential intruder coming towards your garage — the sudden burst of light can startle them and send them running. This would also alert you to any funny business happening on your property at odd hours. Plus, many models let you adjust the brightness so you can customize the light to your preferences. 

Outdoor solar motion-sensor lights are also affordable and easy to install, mostly because they don't need any wiring. You can mount them above your garage, or even on the garage door itself. These lights have longer lifespans compared to other LEDs, with up to 50,000 hours of usage. Most have weather-resistant casings that make them durable, and they're typically low maintenance, too. 

For just under $15 for a 2-pack, you can get the HMCity Outdoor Solar Lights, a 4.4-star product with positive reviews from recent and returning users. Despite their low cost, these lights offer three smart light modes, a super-efficient solar panel, and a wide 270° lighting angle that can illuminate over 300 square feet. The Tuffenough Solar Lights are also highly rated and offer similar features for $35.99. However, ensure you make enquiries regarding its battery life as some users complained about it.

You have a part to play to make sure these solar security lights perform and last as long as intended. One outdoor lighting mistake everyone makes during installation is placing their lights in the wrong spot. With garage lights, always place them in a position that allows them to illuminate the driveway comprehensively without interfering with the opening and closing of your garage door. The spot just above the center of your garage door would be ideal. If you have multiple garage doors, consider placing the outdoor lights on both sides and the center of each door. 

Make sure to clean the solar panel and motion sensor on your lights with a soft cloth to remove any dust or dirt that can hinder their effectiveness. Also, consider pruning any nearby trees or shrubs, as they could be blocking the panel. If your lights seem a bit slow to detect motion, check the instruction manual to find out if you can adjust the sensitivity settings.