A Guide to Porch Light Safety: Leave It On or Turn It off?

Porch lights help keep you and your loved ones safe. You don’t fumble for your keys when the light is on—instead, you’re inside the door within moments.

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.

To prevent your house from being robbed, think about when it’s best to keep the porch light on or off.

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.

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 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

A porch light is just one piece of your home security solution. You should incorporate it into a smart home automation security system for enhanced safety and control.

With a complete system, you can use an app to monitor and control both indoor and outdoor lights, plus security cameras and locks.

You can purchase home automation systems from security providers like ADT, Frontpoint, and Vivint. But you can also build your own system by integrating smart home products with a home automation hub.

Add a Home Automation Hub

When it comes to home automation hubs, Samsung SmartThings leads the way. It works with the largest number of wireless technologies and devices.

You can also use an Amazon Echo or Google Home device as a smart home hub. That means you’ll be able to turn the porch lights on or off with the sound of your voice.

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.

Read our full Samsung SmartThings Hub review.

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.

*Amazon.com and other List Prices as of 11/05/19 2:22 p.m. MST. (Full disclaimer)

Smart Lightbulbs

Philips Hue is the leader when it comes to automated lighting. Give the brand a look if you’re aiming for a lighting system that’s 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.

The Bottom Line on Porch Light Security

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.

Find More Ways to Add Extra Security to Your Home

General Home Safety Tips

Best Motion Detector Lights

The Best Video Doorbell Cameras

Best Outdoor Security Cameras

The Best Keyless Electronic Door Locks

Disclaimer

Amazon.com list price as of 12/05/19 2:22 p.m. MST. 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.

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