Generally speaking, it is safe to have outside lights on at night. The illuminated lights can serve as a signal, which shows that the home is occupied and improves visibility around your home. Apart from this, leaving the outside lights, such as porch lights, on at night offers some other practical benefits.
Yes, many police departments recommend leaving front and back porch lights on all night as a security measure. Well-lit areas can deter potential intruders, as they increase visibility and reduce hiding spots. Here are a few additional tips regarding outdoor lighting for security:
Less is more when it comes to using lights to deter burglars, it turns out. If you use smart lighting functionality through your home security system to make it seem as though someone is home, this may deter a burglar. If you simply leave your lights on all day and all night, you could do the opposite.
Considerations: Energy Consumption: Leaving lights on all night can increase your electricity bill. Consider using energy-efficient LED bulbs to mitigate this. Light Pollution: Constant light can contribute to light pollution and may disturb nearby wildlife or even your own sleep.
There are lots of good reasons to leave your porch light on at night. It potentially signals that someone is home, and it illuminates the area next to your front door so that you can look through your peephole and see anyone who might be there before opening your front door.
In a word, no. Outdoor lights nowadays use LEDs rather than filament bulbs which are less energy efficient. The running costs for these are negligible and to power even a reasonably large outdoor display of LED garden lights for an entire month is likely to cost less than an average fast food meal.
Strategically placing sensor lights eliminates dark areas around entry points, providing increased visibility and allowing homeowners to spot any suspicious outdoor activity. The improved visibility deters potential criminals.
Sleeping with lights on can disrupt your circadian rhythm and hinder sleep quality. Artificial light, especially blue light, can suppress melatonin production. Excessive light exposure can impact your sleep-wake cycle and negatively affect your overall health.
“For a better sleep, keep your room dark, but if you need light, choose warm colors like red or amber. Avoid blue light from electronic devices as it can trick your brain into thinking it's still daytime and disrupt your sleep-wake cycle.”
LED lighting is very safe and energy-efficient, producing minimal heat and using very little electricity even if kept on all night. However, it's advisable to avoid leaving incandescent or halogen lamps on overnight as they can pose a fire hazard due to the heat they generate.
The burglars in this particular study did not come to a clear consensus on whether lighting was a sufficient deterrent: "Responses were mixed regarding lights on in a home. Some said it was a deterrent. But one burglar said the combination of lights on and blinds closed created an attractive location."
According to cooperative insurer's research theft is most likely to occur on a Friday. Around 40% of break ins occur during the day whilst 60% take place during the evening or at night. It's really important to use your home security, day and night.
This may seem contradictory, but there is no clear scientific evidence that increased outdoor lighting deters crime and increases safety. Glare from bright, unshielded lights actually decreases safety. See how glare in the closest photo makes it hard to see the man at the gate?
Claire and Phil get emotional about the kids leaving and Phil tells her that they have to 'leave the porch light on' to ensure that they will always come back.
The benefits of leaving LED lights on all night
LED lights may be left on all night without causing any safety risks, but doing so has certain advantages as well. For example, LED lights are perfect for use as nightlights since they emit a soft, calming glow that may help you safely explore your house at night.
Red Porch Lights
Around Valentine's Day, they might represent love and romance. However, red lights are also used to bring awareness to heart health, particularly during American Heart Month in February. Additionally, some use red lights to show support for the American Red Cross.
Therefore, leaving the lights on will draw attention to your home, making it a likely burglary target. We recommend looking into other security solutions, such as security cameras, instead of leaving the lights on.
Using red lights before going to bed helps reduce sleep inertia- You know the groggy feeling you get when you wake up. It can take you some time before you're fully alert. A 2019 study showed that saturated red light administered through closed eyelids may help ease sleep inertia when you wake up.
Studies suggest that light exposure at night can disrupt the body's normal circadian rhythm, the 24-hour internal body clock that controls your sleep/wake cycle. This can trigger a cascade of metabolic or biochemical changes that affect glucose and cardiovascular regulation, boosting the risk of heart disease.
Ancient Japanese lighting from a traditional Japanese hearth, oil lamp or candle (20–30 lux) could be healthier for children and adolescents because rapid and clear increase in melatonin concentration in blood seems to occur at night under such dim light, thus facilitating a smooth falling into night sleep.
As a general rule, it is best to sleep in as much darkness as possible. Pitch darkness reduces potential distractions and disruptions to sleep. Sleeping with a light on interferes with sleep cycles and causes more fragmented sleep, and these downsides may be greatest in the few hours before waking up.
At Night: Leaving the porch light on at night naturally signals that your home is occupied. It alerts burglars and acts as a spotlight at the entry points. If you are waiting for someone to come at night, the illuminated porch light can give them a welcome signal and help you see who's approaching.
A Sign of Safety and Reassurance
For families, especially in suburban or rural areas, leaving the porch light on serves as a beacon of safety. It reassures loved ones that the home is a safe place, particularly for children or teenagers coming home late.