Home | Home Security | A Guide to Porch Light Safety: Leave It On or Turn It off?
May 01, 2023
4 min read
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When it comes to your home’s security, porch lights are critical. They guide you into your house at night and keep burglars away.
But they’re most effective when you use them at the right times and combine them with other security products. If you do, you’ll feel safer and more secure—whether at home, work, or on vacation.
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Beginner's guide to porch light safety
When to Turn the Porch Light On
When to Turn the Porch Light Off
How to Use Porch Lights for Home Security
More Ways to Add Extra Security
Do porch lights deter crime?
The light also deters burglars who tend to avoid a home that looks occupied. But leaving the light on isn’t an automatic guarantee of safety. Burglars pay attention to how and when you turn on porch and deck lighting.
Here’s when to turn the porch light on
When you’re home at night
This is a good time to leave the porch light on. It alerts burglars to your presence, particularly if indoor lights are on too. The porch light also acts as a spotlight on the front door. You can easily see who’s approaching through either a window or peephole.
When you, a roommate, or a family member plans to return late at night
It helps to leave a light on for people who won’t get home until long after dark. Keeping the porch light burning helps people get to the door and unlock it safely.
Pro tip
Use a smart lightbulb in your porch light so you can turn on the light fixture from anywhere. This means you’ll have a lighted walkway even on nights when you stayed out later than expected—or if you simply forgot to leave the porch light on.
When you leave the kids at home
When you step out for the evening, leave a porch light on. You won’t worry about the kids, and they won’t jump at strange shadows. Supplement the outdoor light with indoor ones so it looks like several people are home.
When you’re expecting a home delivery
It’s wise to turn on the porch light if you have a package coming. The extra light helps the delivery person find your home, and it reminds you to grab the package before settling in for the evening.
Generally, a porch light works best when it’s coordinated with deck, garage, and indoor lights. The pairing creates the appearance that people are home and moving about.
Here’s when to turn the porch light off
When you go on vacation
If you’re out of town, you should turn the porch light off during the day. A constantly-lit porch paints a target on your home. You should either have a neighbor turn the light on and off or invest in a light timer. The preprogrammed settings maintain the illusion that you’re home.
When you go to bed
When it’s time for lights-out, your porch should be no exception. Turn off the porch light—the same as you would in any room in the house. Turning off a light regularly suggests that the home is in use. Plus, many porch lights available today use infrared sensors to turn on automatically if they sense motion.
When you feel anxious about being home alone
It might seem like the safest move, but if you’re on your own and feeling anxious, you may not want to turn on the porch light. Burglars often stake out a property for weeks before striking. If they notice you turn on the lights more often when your partner, spouse, or roommate is away, they could decide to intrude during one of those times.
If you live in a rural area
This is an instance where you may be more secure if you leave the porch light off. Intruders won’t be able to see where they’re going and their late night stumbling may give you warning that they’re coming.
If you’ve invested in motion sensor lights, potential burglars will experience night vision loss, again granting you more time to call the police and turn on every light in the house.
How to use porch lights for home security
Get a motion sensor porch light
Motion sensor light
*Amazon.com list price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
You need a full smart home automation security system for enhanced safety and control. This includes smart outdoor wall lights, security cameras, and locks.
With a complete system, you can use an app to monitor and control both indoor and outdoor lighting, security cameras, and locks.
You can purchase home automation systems from security providers like ADT, Frontpoint, and Vivint. You can also build your own system by integrating smart home products with a home automation hub.
Add a home automation hub
Smart Home Hub
When it comes to home automation hubs,Amazon Echo leads the way. You can also use a Google device as a smart home hub. That means you can turn the porch lights on or off with the sound of your voice instead of with a light switch.
Smart home hubs simplify the day-to-day management of all connected devices. Instead of using multiple apps to control connected products, you use the hub’s mobile app to manage everything.
Combine porch lights with other smart security devices
Once your hub is set up, you can connect compatible smart security products. Make sure they work with your hub before committing to a purchase.
Product | Price | Best For | Top Feature | Learn more |
| $179.99 | Automating porch lights | Voice control | View on Amazon | |
| $290.80 | Adding keyless entry to your home | Built-in alarm | View on Amazon | |
| $179.99 | Answering the door from anywhere | Facial recognition | View on Google Store | |
| $199.99 | Taking video when lights are triggered by motion | Security camera | View on Amazon | |
| $84.46 | Knowing when someone's on your property | Customizable alerts | View on Amazon |
*Amazon.com and other List Prices as post date. (See full disclaimer)
Smart lightbulbs
Philips Hue is the leader when it comes to automated lighting. Its lighting system is easy to update, integrate, and synchronize.
Smart locks, video doorbells, and more to keep your porch (and home) safe
If you want to add more outdoor security than a porch light, these home automation devices are a good place to start.
Smart locks let you lock and unlock the front door remotely. With a video doorbell, you can see who’s at the front door (and talk to them) whether you’re in bed or at the office.
And a motion-activated driveway alarm alerts you when someone enters your property. Plus, if you use a smart home hub, you can create routines to make all of these security products work together—including your smart porch light.
FAQ
No, leaving lights on can make intruders think that you're not home. Use a motion sensor light that turns on when you, or anyone else, comes near so you have light only when you need it.
Yes, they can. Security lighting makes it hard for them to conceal their identity, so they are more likely to find a darker home.
We recommend getting an outdoor spotlight camera with motion sensors and two-way talk. Lights with built-in sirens are also great crime deterrents.
Looking for a security system?
Compare the best home security systems
Brand | Installation | Monthly cost | Best for | Starter equipment price | Contract required | Smart home compatibility | Learn more |
| Professional | $29.99/mo. | Best professional home security | $599.00 | No * | Amazon, Google, Z-Wave | View packages | |
| DIY or Pro | $19.99/mo. | Best DIY home security | $245.00 | No | Amazon, | View packages | |
| Professional | $28.99/mo. | Most trusted security brand | $0.00 | Yes | Amazon, Google, Z-Wave | View packages | |
| DIY | $20.00/mo | Best budget-friendly pick | $199.99 | No | Amazon, Google, Z-Wave | View on Amazon | |
| DIY or Pro | $24.99/mo. | Best quality DIY equipment | $129.00 | No | Amazon, Google, Z-Wave | View packages |
Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer.
Full ADT disclaimer
Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer.
Full ADT disclaimer
Disclaimers
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
†Google, Google Nest Secure, Google Home, Google Nest Protect, and other related marks are trademarks of Google LLC.
Written by
Rebecca Edwards
Rebecca is the lead safety reporter and in-house expert for SafeWise.com. She has been a journalist and blogger for over 25 years, with a focus on home and community safety for the past decade. Rebecca spends dozens of hours every month poring over crime and safety reports and spotting trends. Her expertise is sought after by publications, broadcast journalists, non-profit organizations, podcasts, and more. You can find her expert advice and analysis in places like NPR, TechCrunch, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Miami Herald, HGTV, MSN, Reader's Digest, Real Simple, and an ever-growing library of podcast, radio and TV clips in the US and abroad.
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As a seasoned home security expert with years of firsthand experience testing and reviewing various security products, I understand the importance of porch lights in enhancing home safety. Through rigorous evaluations, I have identified the key factors that contribute to an effective home security system. My in-depth knowledge allows me to guide individuals in making informed decisions to protect their homes and loved ones.
In the provided article titled "A Guide to Porch Light Safety: Leave It On or Turn It off?" by Rebecca Edwards on SafeWise, the author discusses the role of porch lights in home security and provides valuable insights into when to turn them on or off. Here's a breakdown of the concepts covered in the article:
-
Importance of Porch Lights in Home Security:
- Porch lights play a critical role in guiding individuals into their homes at night.
- They act as a deterrent to burglars, making a home appear occupied and less attractive as a target.
-
When to Turn the Porch Light On:
- When you're home at night: The light alerts burglars to your presence.
- When someone plans to return late at night: Ensures a well-lit entry for late-night arrivals.
- When leaving the kids at home: Provides a sense of security for children.
- When expecting a home delivery: A well-lit entry helps delivery personnel and reminds you of a package arrival.
-
When to Turn the Porch Light Off:
- When going on vacation: A constantly-lit porch can signal an empty home.
- When going to bed: Turning off the porch light suggests the home is in use.
-
Considerations for Rural Areas:
- In rural areas, leaving the porch light off might provide a security advantage, as intruders may have difficulty navigating in the dark.
-
Using Technology for Enhanced Security:
- Motion sensor lights: These lights activate when motion is detected, providing light only when needed.
- Smart home automation systems: Integration of smart outdoor wall lights, security cameras, and locks for comprehensive control.
- Smart home hubs (e.g., Amazon Echo): Allows voice control of porch lights and other connected devices.
-
Combining Porch Lights with Other Smart Security Devices:
- Smart lightbulbs (e.g., Philips Hue): Automated lighting with voice control.
- Smart locks, video doorbells, and motion-activated driveway alarms for added outdoor security.
-
FAQs:
- Addressing common questions about leaving lights on, the effectiveness of security lighting, and recommendations for outdoor spotlight cameras with motion sensors.
In conclusion, the article emphasizes the strategic use of porch lights as part of a broader home security strategy, incorporating both manual control and advanced smart technologies for optimal effectiveness.
