Do you keep your house lit in the dark?

KateLiana27

We don't have external lights in our new house (or wiring for them). So far we just turn off all the indoor lights at night and when we're out, but this leaves the house pitch dark and (I worry) vulnerable to burglars.

The hall light is clearly visible from outside, due to glass in the front doors, so we could leave this on to provide light. Or go the whole hog and get external/ security lights installed. It's a low crime area.

Is it worth keeping a light on at all times in the dark? Or just when we're out? Or not at all?

macman

Leaving just a hall light on is pointless and would only fool the most dense of burglars. Who lives in the hall? Leave a living room light on.
I don't see the connection between leaving internal lights on and wiring a security light-they're completely different things. A security light will function whether you are in or not.

scheming_gypsy

I leave my kitchen light on. Although that's not to tell burglars not to break in, the dogs will do that.... The kitchen light is an energy saving bulb compared to the four 50w halogens in the lounge light; so I leave the kitchen light on to put a bit of light in the lounge for the dogs.

krlyr

One thing I heard someone doing in this weather was having a lamp on a timer, so it came on about 4pm. This was for their dogs but I imagine a light on a timer has the extra benefit of giving the impression that someone is home (because I'd automatically assume a light was switched on by a person rather than a timer)
We don't tend to bother at the moment - like the above poster, I think a GSD and Rottie x are a bit more of a deterrent to burglars than a light being left on!

Swipe

I've always had my lights on a timer. Saves me getting off my !!!! to switch the lights on when it goes dark.

rachelhen

The police advised me to leave living room lamp and hall light on at night.

rustyboy21

I leave a small table lamp with low watage energy bulb on permanently in the hall, as the house is pitch black if you need to go downstairs in the night ( eg let dog out for his 'doings') I also leave the utility room light on so it shines inthe kitchen and a small table lamp in lounge, all energy bulbs.

They are on 24/7/365 house always looks occupied and welcoming when you come in.

Haven't had any issues so far ( touch wood)

WestonDave

The previous occupant of our house was an elderly widow - she had the kitchen lights replaced with 7 halogen spots - the central one is on a seperate switch so can put on without creating a massive power drain. We tend to leave that one on if we go out, but we also have a LED light on the porch and a sensor light near the garage. If we left our lounge lights on you'd have to look very closely to see any light as we have thick curtains.

tanith

I always leave a lamp on in the living room if we go out as it can be seen from the hall windows.. we have a movement sensitive light at the front door/driveway so anyone coming in the drive is lit up but we also have a street light right opposite so the outside is well lit anyway..

bramble1

Our house doesn't look like a house so and is not visible to anyone who doesn't know it's there. So there is no real need for us to put lights on when we aren't at home.

Plus we've got our trusty guard dog!

C_Mababejive

I have no outside lights and no burglar alarm... i dont do paranoia.

If i go out for any length of time, or away..i put a couple of table lights on with low energy bulbs and timers..maybe one in lounge,hall and or bedroom..