Better to have your house dark or a small light on at night?

[pcgizzmo]

For purposes of an intruder. Is it better to have lights on in your house or pitch black so that the use of a tactical flashlight might blind an intruder?

[seamusTX]

The conventional wisdom is to have your house lit up like the proverbial Christmas tree. That's what I do. Don't ask me to prove it, though.

Using a light makes you a target as much as it might reveal an intruder.

- Jim

[MoJo]

It doesn't seem to make a whole lot of difference since the blinding of an intruder by a tactical flashlight is about as likely to deter him as racking the slide on a shotgun. I like a little light in the house I know where things are supposed to be and with a little light (night lights) I can see pretty well and can move about. Remember that tactical flashlight is going to ruin your night vision too.

[Beiruty]

It doesn't seem to make a whole lot of difference since the blinding of an intruder by a tactical flashlight is about as likely to deter him as racking the slide on a shotgun. I like a little light in the house I know where things are supposed to be and with a little light (night lights) I can see pretty well and can move about. Remember that tactical flashlight is going to ruin your night vision too.

The problem is the home owner is sleeping and the intruder is not! If the intruder "sneak in" and the home owner is in deep sleep, firearms, lights, or otherwise could be useless.

[MoJo]

It doesn't seem to make a whole lot of difference since the blinding of an intruder by a tactical flashlight is about as likely to deter him as racking the slide on a shotgun. I like a little light in the house I know where things are supposed to be and with a little light (night lights) I can see pretty well and can move about. Remember that tactical flashlight is going to ruin your night vision too.

The problem is the home owner is sleeping and the intruder is not! If the intruder "sneak in" and the home owner is in deep sleep, firearms, lights, or otherwise could be useless.

That's why I have a multi channel K9 alarm system. If the dogs start rasing heck I go to see what the commotion is about.

[Keith B]

These make good night lights http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/produ ... sp?mi=8139" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



an 18 Million candlepower one.

Seriously, as I get older, I can't see as well in the dark, so I think a well placed small night light near the area where an intruder could possibility come in would aid me in identification and targeting if needed.

[WildBill]

That's why I have a multi channel K9 alarm system. If the dogs start rasing heck I go to see what the commotion is about.

I looked and can't find the website for "K9 Multi-Channel Alarm Systems." Can you provide a link?

[chasfm11]

I'm in the "let there be light" school of thought. I go further than just leaving lights on at night. I have my outside lights programmed to turn on and off at various times (and on a random time and duration) so that anyone watching the house will not know if someone is home or up, even in the middle of the night. I have some always-on-at-dusk flood lights on our barn so that there is always light on the property.

In any residential area, there has to be a balance between lighting and "light pollution" as perceived by neighbors. Fortunately in this neighborhood, I've been able to convince the neighbors immediately around me that light is good and we all have things fairly well lit up.

I have a couple tactical flashlights and would not be without them. I've never had the occasion to try to use them with a potential intruder situation. I think that their effect could be highly overrated. If the intruder is armed and a blinding light comes on suddenly, his immediate reaction may be to fire his gun. Most BGs are not taught gun safety so it is unlikely that they would know to keep their finger off the trigger. An AD could result from his reflex action. I do understand that someone sneaking around my house at night may not be doing so with a gun drawn but it is always a possibility.

[Keith B]

That's why I have a multi channel K9 alarm system. If the dogs start rasing heck I go to see what the commotion is about.

I looked and can't find the website for "K9 Multi-Channel Alarm Systems." Can you provide a link?

Here's a good starting link for you Bill http://www.spca.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[RECIT]

I ALWAYS have the light above my stove on. Its towad the back of my house and close to my bedroom. It gives me enough light in my house to identify all doors and shut and animals are where they are supposed to be. If I come out of my room and my dogs are alarmed or not where they usually sleep then I know something might be up and to do a quick walk through. If I come out and all the normal doors are closed and my dogs are laying there wagging their tails I know I'm paranoid and possibly deaf and I go back to bed...

[pcgizzmo]

Thanks!

LOL! I too have the K9 Alarm system but I'm afraid that in my case the alarm would sound like tounges lapping the intruders cheek.

[kyreb]

I'm in the "let there be light" school of thought. I go further than just leaving lights on at night. I have my outside lights programmed to turn on and off at various times (and on a random time and duration) so that anyone watching the house will not know if someone is home or up, even in the middle of the night. I have some always-on-at-dusk flood lights on our barn so that there is always light on the property.

In any residential area, there has to be a balance between lighting and "light pollution" as perceived by neighbors. Fortunately in this neighborhood, I've been able to convince the neighbors immediately around me that light is good and we all have things fairly well lit up.

I have a couple tactical flashlights and would not be without them. I've never had the occasion to try to use them with a potential intruder situation. I think that their effect could be highly overrated. If the intruder is armed and a blinding light comes on suddenly, his immediate reaction may be to fire his gun. Most BGs are not taught gun safety so it is unlikely that they would know to keep their finger off the trigger. An AD could result from his reflex action. I do understand that someone sneaking around my house at night may not be doing so with a gun drawn but it is always a possibility.

Add a couple toys from faketv.com and your set up will look even more realistic.

[maverick2076]

I leave our kitchen light on. It is a big flourescent light. Combined with our open floorplan it gives me enough light through most of the house to be able to see. It is enough of a glow to be advantageous to me or my wife, who know the layout, but not so much as to make it easy for anyone unfamiliar with our home.

[pedalman]

My K9 alarm system is single-channel, but is very sensitive. And loud.

[PBratton]

The basic security books say to light up the perimeter from the inside of the perimeter directed outward.

Puts the attacker at a disadvantage.