Outdoor-landscape-lighting-as-a-security-system
By Bob B Taylor

Outdoor landscape can be a very decorative addition to any garden. But what about the additional benefits of the security and safety that it can also provide.

Security
Outdoor landscape is one of the best security systems you can install. Landscape can be used as a deterrent to residential crime. Correct proportions of outdoor landscape surrounding your home, has been shown to minimize crimes by as much as fifty percent. Landscape has two great uses to aid in the security of your home. The can intimidate possible intruders to avoid trespassing on to your property. Should this fail, the illuminated areas will also make it possible for you or your neighbor’s to see any intruders as they trespass.

As well as an intruder visually, they will also create shadows. At night when vision is limited a moving shadow is easy to see. Even though you probably won’t clearly make out the intruder in the darkness, your eye will be drawn to the movement straight away which will put you on alert immediately.

When designing your outdoor landscape it is a good idea to light the pathways separately as to individual garden features. This can be done using separate wiring circuits. To save power the feature can be turned off very late at night, say after 1.30 am and the pathway can remain on for safety and security.
Also remember when wiring your outdoor landscape lighting, make sure to bury the wiring. It is common for intruders to see this wiring an cut it knowing that it will blow the fuse which will turn off all of your lights.

Safety
Typically low voltage systems are used for outdoor landscape around the home. The preferred light fittings used to create outdoor landscape lighting, are low voltage, weather resistant fixtures. The low voltage used reduces the risk of electrocution if live wiring or terminals are touched. Also if power supply transformers are used to reduce the voltage, then they also isolate the low voltage system from the mains voltage which increases safety.

Low voltage outdoor systems around the home garden also use low wattage lamps. These do not heat up as much as the larger sized lamps commonly used inside the home. The risk of burning anyone is reduced. Also the risk of burning and damaging plants by the directed light is also greatly reduced.

Maintenance
Always check your low voltage outdoor landscape regularly. Say once every week. Lamps eventually burn out and require replacement regularly. Another problem is that plants outgrow their original shape and form and you will need to re-aim the again to suit. The neighbor’s cat or dog may also knock your over if it is loosely installed.

Article Source: http://www.upublish.info

About the Author:
Bob B Taylor
Bob Taylor is a successful webmaster and publisher of http://www.lightingway.com If you would like to learn more about the subject of landscape please visit http://www.lightingway.com