Home Security: Security Lighting Considerations

An important element of your home security “system” is proper security lighting. Criminals wish to remain unobserved and good outdoor lighting can discourage many of them from considering your home as a target. Of the many security lighting options that are available, which one is the “best”?

The first thing to look at is efficiency. Efficiency is a measure of the amount of light emitted (lumens) for a given amount of energy consumed (watts). The light source that produces the most lumens per watt is the most efficient. Another consideration is lamp life. Cheap bulbs that need frequent replacement may actually be more expensive than costlier bulbs that lasts much longer. The third characteristic is color rendition. This tells you how natural an illuminated person or object will look. A fourth thing to consider is how fast it reaches full intensity. Some types of lighting have a delay when they start up.

There are basically three types of lighting that can be used for home security: 1) incandescent lighting; 2) fluorescent lighting; and 3) high intensity discharge lighting. Each one has advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a look at each type and compare them.

Incandescent Lighting

This is the ubiquitous light bulb that is found in nearly every room of your house. Most people use this to light their front and rear doors. Incandescent lighting is the most inefficient of all three types. It emits light by heating a small filament to a white hot glow. About 90% of the energy it consumes is used to create the heat, while only 10% is actually converted to light. Illuminated objects have a natural appearance under incandescent lighting. The bulbs are inexpensive, but they also have the shortest life. They are best suited as security lighting in applications where they will be turned on only briefly or full illumination is required immediately, even in very cold weather.

Lumens per Watt = 15 to 25
Average Life = 750 to 2,000 hours

Fluorescent Lighting

This lighting can be in the form of tubes, or compact fluorescent lights (CFL) that have built-in ballasts and can be screwed into regular incandescent light sockets. Fluorescent lighting is about four times more efficient than incandescent lighting and lasts nearly 25 times as long. In the past, frequently turning fluorescent bulbs on and off shortened their life-span, but this is not true with modern fixtures. These lights also illuminate with a natural color. All of this would seem to make fluorescent lighting a hands-down winner over incandescent bulbs. But CFLs require a short warm-up period to reach full brightness. In cold weather, this warm-up period is considerably longer, and in very cold weather, they may not turn on at all.

Lumens per Watt = 33 to 70
Average Life = 10,000 to 20,000 hours

High Intensity Discharge Lighting

This is often called HID lighting. HID lighting is the most efficient, and has the longest bulb life of the three lighting types. But, it has a delay when first starting up before it reaches full brightness. The time it takes the light to restart after being turned off, also called “re-strike” time, is even longer (3 to 5 minutes). This makes HID lighting unusable for security lighting applications that require an instant start. They are best suited for area lights that will be on for long periods of time (at least an hour). There are four types of HID lighting: 1) low-pressure sodium (LPS); 2) high-pressure sodium (HPS); 3) mercury-vapor (MV); and 4) metal-halide (MH).

LPS is the most efficient lighting source of all, but it is rarely used in the United States. The red-orange light does not look at all natural and the actual color of illuminated objects is severely distorted. Also, the fixtures themselves are larger than those of the other HID light sources.

Lumens per Watt = 80 to 180
Average Life = about 20,000 hours

HPS produces the orange-gold color you see in many parking lots. It is second only to LPS lighting in efficiency and has a high life expectancy similar to MV lighting.

Lumens per Watt = 45 to 110
Average Life = about 24,000

MV lighting has the longest lamp life. It also produces a more natural color than LPS or HPS. Although its efficiency is higher that incandescent lighting, it is significantly lower than the other types.

Lumens per Watt = 13 to 48
Average Life = over 24,000 hours

MH lighting produces the most natural light of all the HID lighting sources. Its efficiency and lamp life are a little lower than HPS lighting.

Lumens per Watt = 60 to 110
Average Life = about 20,000 hours

The “best” type of lighting is the one that best fits your particular security lighting application. Only you can you can determine if energy cost (efficiency), replacement cost over time (average lamp life), the color of the light, or how fast it turns on is most important. At least now you can make those comparisons.

Computer Security: Wireless Networks

Wireless networks dramatically increase the versatility and usefulness of computers. I have one at home that allows four computers to share two printers and a high-speed internet connection. It works great! The technology has made them so inexpensive and easy to set up that almost anyone can do it – even those who may be completely unaware of the security risks. And that is the problem.

For example, I can access three different wireless networks from the living room of a relative’s house. Only one of those networks belongs to him. The other two belong to neighbors who do not understand the first thing about network security.

The range of a wireless network can easily extend from your house well into the houses of those living nearby. Anyone within range of your unsecured wireless network could easily use it to access the internet, which makes your network run more slowly. But, that is insignificant compared to what else he could do. With just a little time and effort, a knowledgeable person could even monitor every web page you visit, read everything you print on a networked printer, access the files on your unprotected computers, and even record every credit card number you use to make an on-line purchase.

Home Wireless Networks

Network security is an oxymoron. No network can be completely secure. If your data is interesting or valuable enough, someone will eventually find a weakness and exploit it. Fortunately, most of us are not worth that kind of concentrated effort and we can easily reduce our risk to an acceptable level, simply by using the built-in features that come with modern networking hardware.

The default settings for most home networking equipment create an open, i.e. not secure, network. I hope you are convinced by now that it is worth the effort to change the security settings on your equipment. I cannot list the details of how to do that on every possible system, but there are three things you can easily do by reading the manual and following its instructions.

FIRST: Change the SSID (Service Set IDentifier) or ESSID (Extended SSID). This is the name of your network. Then disable the SSID or ESSID broadcast. When you broadcast your SSID, any computer with a wireless network card knows there is a network nearby. If that notification is disabled, most people will not even be aware that you have one. It is important to change the name, because some people have equipment that will detect your network anyway. If they do, you want to keep the specifics about it as secret as possible. They will know what equipment you are using by the manufacturer’s default SSID, and this makes it easier for them to access your network. Use a network name that does not make your network appear interesting and will not identify you as the owner. “Home” or “Network” may be good choices.

SECOND: Change the default administrator password. If your network is detected, and the equipment is correctly identified, the default password will give an intruder complete access to your system. Make it hard for someone to guess.

THIRD: Turn on your encryption protocol. This will keep most people out of your network. There are methods of cracking encryption codes, but they usually require at least a few hours to accomplish. There are two types of encryption in common use. One is WEP (Wired Equivalency Privacy), which is found on older networking equipment. The newer one is WPA (Wi-fi Protected Access), which is much more secure. Use WPA if possible.

Public Wireless Networks

These are often found in hotels, truck stops, coffee bars, etc. By their very nature these are not secure networks. Anything you do on a public network can be monitored. Use them only for casual surfing. Never conduct any financial transactions or access confidential email messages on these networks. And, finally, make sure your computer has firewall software installed and turned on.

Personal Security: Especially for College Students

Enhancing your personal security as a college student is not much different than it is for non-students. Any list of generic personal security tips applies equally to you. The biggest difference between you and them is that you probably have not thought much about it until now. This may be the first time you are away from home and on your own. Things that your parents did for you, or reminded you about, just a short time ago are now your responsibility.

I am a professor in a small college town in rural Idaho where my oldest daughter just graduated with her degree. I have seen, firsthand, how casually students treat their personal security. They just do not believe anything will happen to them – especially in a small town like this one. The sad truth is that there is a lot of crime perpetrated against college students. Campus crime statistics from all over the United States show that the three most common offenses are burglary, vehicle theft, and assault. You can reduce the chance that it will happen to you. Most of what you can do is very simple; you just need to remember to do them

Burglary

As a group, college students have more expensive computer and electronic equipment than the general population. These items are valuable, easy to sell, and very portable. Because students spend a lot of time socializing in each other’s apartments and dorm rooms, nobody regards it as suspicious when they see people they do not know coming and going. An unlocked apartment is “easy pickings.” Always lock your door – even if you will only be across the hall for a few minutes.

Vehicle Theft

You can usually tell which cars belong to students, and which ones belong to faculty at my university. Students drive the expensive ones. They are the ones most likely to be stolen. But, even more common than losing your car, is having your belongings taken from it. Students tend to keep a lot of valuables in their cars. Make sure they are out of sight. Locking them in the trunk is even better. Always lock you car with the windows up – even on blistering hot days.

Maybe you ride a bike instead. Bicycles are also popular targets for thieves. They can be very expensive and are often easy to steal. When a thief rides away on your bike, everyone will just think he owns it. Always lock up your bike with a good cable or frame lock – and take the front wheel with you if possible.

Assault

Your security after dark is of special concern, because this is when most assaults occur. Assault is bad enough, but sexual assault is even worse. It can scar you for life, so women should be particularly careful. There is safety in numbers. If you must be out after dark, go with a friend. If you cannot find another student you know to go with you, use a security escort. Many college campuses provide this as a free service for students traveling back to their dorms from the library or late night classes. You simply call campus security and some escorts will come to walk you home. Always walk with a friend or security escort after dark – even if it is just across campus.

Dating can also result in sexual assault. One of the best things you can do on a date to reduce the likelihood of this is to refrain from alcohol. Insist that your date does too. Drinking reduces your reaction time and increases the chances of being involved in an automobile accident. It also impairs your judgment, and weakens your inhibitions. Some men, sadly, hope it will make their date more receptive to sexual activity. Because alcohol makes some people aggressive, he might not take “no” for an answer. Aside from any moral issues you may have with sex, your date may have Herpes of HIV. There is no known cure for either of these diseases. Do not let your guard down. Always avoid alcohol during a date – it could save your life.

Home Security: Get a Dog

One of the best things you can do to make your home more secure can also be one of the most fun; get a dog. It does not have to be big, expensive, or have special training. It will serve double-duty as a playmate and protector for your kids, and it is a great way to help teach them some responsibility.

Criminals like privacy and secrecy. They feel most comfortable in an environment where they will not be noticed. Do not make them feel comfortable in, or around, your home! A dog may be man's best friend, but it is something criminals prefer to avoid. Dogs bark, which draws attention. There is also the fear of being bitten -- or worse. If your home obviously has a dog on the premises, it will almost always be avoided.

We have three dogs, and got them all from the local dog pound for free. They are all between about 80 and 100 pounds. The largest is half Shepard and half Great Dane. One is a full-blood German Shepard, and the other is a full-blood Black Lab. None of them have received more than basic obedience training. They are not mean or vicious in any way. But, they do exactly what we got them to do: Play with us and the kids, and make strangers feel a little uneasy. Because of their size, people who do not know them tend to keep their distance. In truth, the only danger they pose to anyone is licking someone's ears off. But the people we want to stay away from us don't know that!

Big dogs are happiest in a big yard. We live on a hobby farm, so they have plenty of room. My oldest daughter, though, lives in an apartment. She has a much smaller dog -- about 17 pounds. While not as intimidating as its larger "cousins," it will also effectively deter would-be burglars or attackers. We know this because numerous interviews with criminals reveal that they try to avoid all dogs, whether they are large or small. So pick one that fits your circumstances.

Dogs do require maintenance. You must feed and water them. They require periodic veterinary care. And you will need to purchase a "pooper-scooper." Some of this is well within the ability of your kids to handle, after they have been properly taught how to do it. Home security is, after all, everyone's business. It takes effort, but the benefits of having a dog around are well worth it.

Be Safe -- Feel Safe

The world is becoming more dangerous and uncertain every day. Many people are increasingly concerned about their safety and security. You may be wondering how you can be safer from crime or accidents at home, at work, and while on the road. Or, how can you better secure your family against things like natural disasters or financial ruin?

There are techniques, and strategies that we can all use to become safer and more secure. Information is power -- power to preserve and improve your own life, as well as the lives of those you love. All of the information you will find here has been proven effective by law enforcement agencies, safety organizations, or other relevant experts. And if its reliability is not enough to interest you already -- it is all absolutely free!

I have no products or services to sell you. Much of what you can do for your own safety and security will not cost you a penny, and you can learn about it right here. But, there are some things, sold through other sources, that can increase your ability to protect yourself even more. The key to using them effectively is being well informed about their abilities and limitations. Even though you must spend your money elsewhere to get these products or services, you will find thorough discussions about them here as well. After all, I use many of them myself!

Note: Because the exact circumstances under which you might apply this information is beyond my control, or the control of any of my expert sources, you alone are responsible for the consequences of following the advice given here. But, if you were not willing to take responsibility for your own life, you would not be reading this blog anyway. You would be naively expecting others to provide your protection.