Outdoor lighting provides more than just economic and aesthetic value to your Wilmette, IL, home. In fact, using the right outdoor lighting, in the proper places, can help increase the safety around where you live. As you, your loved ones, and guests traverse your outdoor areas, you can rest assured that you are providing everyone with adequate protections form potential hazards when they can see where they are going. Not only are you protecting them; you are also protecting yourself from the subsequent liability of impending injuries. Additionally, outdoor lighting can be used to deter wildlife as well as possible criminal activity. Read on for ways to use outdoor lighting to increase the safety of your home.
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It is a great idea to place outdoor lighting at areas where there are steps, decks, and other zones of uneven terrain and differing levels. This not only highlights the depths of the spaces, and accentuates the architecture within your outdoor spaces, but it also provides a safe environment to traverse upon. A great option for along retaining walls at stair ways are up an down sconce lights. These lights will provide you with the up light dramatic effect but will also shine down on the stairways and walkways for safety purposes. There is also the option of stair lighting or solar deck lighting which provide a soft subtle approach to keeping your space well lit.
Related: Add Contrast And Dimension To Your Landscape With These Outdoor Lighting Techniques
Water Features
If have outdoor water features such as fountains, ponds, or pools, it is extremely important to keep them well lit. This will help others identify where water hazards may be located. Having a well lit pond and pool will also help assist you and others should a pet or person stumble into the water. People are not the only ones attracted to water. Wildlife such as turtles, snakes, rodents and other creatures are often drawn to water sources. Keeping your water features well lit can help deter unwanted attraction to these areas of your landscape.
Trip Hazards and Danger Zones
With the help of your landscape contractor, you will want to assess your entire outdoor area when determining where to place lighting. People are going to be drawn to areas where fire pits, grills, pergolas, hammocks and other outdoor activities are located. Using soft subtle lighting at these spaces will add ambience and also provide much needed safety measures. For example, string lights can be a perfect option for these outdoor areas. They are whimsical and create an indirect light so not to take away from the starry night and enjoyment of the great outdoors as you rest on that hammock or sit near the fire pit. But, they do allow for enough lighting to help assist while maneuvering around these areas especially if you are hosting large groups of people.
Related: 4 Different Walkway Designs To Give Your Front Yard Landscape Design A Boost In Buffalo Grove, IL
Deter Potential Criminal Activity
Using motion censored lights, flood lights, and spotlights around your property can help deter potential criminal activity. Try focusing on areas of your property that are really dark so that would-be criminals do not have any place to lurk and hide. Also, keep the areas around your structures and home well lit, especially any potential entrance and exits that could be used to access your home and other structures. This not only helps you and others notice any type of criminal activity but also provides adequate lighting for any surveillance cameras that you may have to catch a possible intruder’s face and identity.
