When it comes to trying to scare off burglars there are a lot of different ways you can go about it. From alarm systems to CCTV, there is a security solution to help keep homes and businesses safe. One of the most common (and cheaply found) security measures you can buy for a business is motion sensor lights. Since 60% of commercial burglaries happen after business hours, many businesses think that if you add a few high-powered motion sensor floodlights to the building it will provide a solid deterrent.
But is that true? Today, we wanted to reveal the truth.
Do Lights Deter Crime?
So, does leaving your lights on overnight do anything to deter crime? The short answer is yes, sometimes, but mostly no. Not on their own anyway. Lights by themselves are only a deterrent to a small number of criminals, and the presence of floodlights will only have a small impact on their decision to target your business. In fact, it can even make it easier for them to find a way in and out!
One of the main reasons for this is that most businesses’ premises are out of the way. They’re generally positioned away from residential areas, which means that overnight there aren’t really a lot of people around. So if there’s a spotlight on some suspicious activity, the burglar knows there might not be anyone around to report it. This is where motion sensor lights come in.
How Do Motion Sensors Work?
One of the most common misconceptions about motion sensors is that there’s a camera involved. And while some cameras do have motion sensors attached to them, it’s not a requirement, and most motion sensors operate without them. Instead, they use infrared technology to detect movement. This means they send out infrared waves every few seconds, and when something interrupts those waves, it triggers the sensor. Depending on what the sensor is programmed to do this can mean a number of different things, but the most common is to activate a light.
Motion Sensor Lights As Protection
Motion sensor lights can be programmed to only come on when there is something in the way of their infrared paths. So if a burglar is sneaking up to a building and crosses the path of a motion sensor light, the light will come on. The sudden flash of light might catch burglars off-guard and prompt them to leave the area. It’s also more likely to catch the attention of anyone nearby and make them investigate.
The Lighting Layer Of Security
The key to successful security systems and deterrents is layers. Rather than relying solely on one thing to protect your business and deter burglars, you need multiple layers of security all working together. Designing your security like this means you don’t get big holes in your defences – like no one being around to spot the motion-controlled lights going off! Instead, you would pair your motion sensor lights with an alarm system that has remote monitoring enabled, so that you can receive immediate alerts for suspicious activity, with CCTV cameras giving you an instant birds-eye view of the premises – all of which is much more effective to deter burglars.
At Securifix we specialise in designing, installing and maintaining commercial and domestic security systems, providing you with all the protection you need from burglars and other criminals. We offer free site visits and surveys so that we can provide you with a detailed and bespoke solution for your business. If you would like to know more, just get in touch with the team today.
