ChatterBank0 min ago
Home Safety
8 Answers
Should I leave my porch light on overnight or am I encouraging problems?
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Apart from the (negligible) cost of the electricity it probably makes no difference whatsoever.
Unless you live in a mansion (or let it be known to all and sundry that you've got a large amount of money stashed away in your house) the chances of being burgled during the night are almost non-existent.
Contrary to the traditional image of a burglar operating at night (whilst dressed in a striped top and an eye mask, with a bag marked 'Swag' over his shoulder), most domestic burglaries are opportunist thefts, when somebody happens to notice a door or window open. They nearly all happen during daylight hours. (It's only 'prime targets', where there are major works of art or other valuables, which organised crime gangs might try to get into during the hours of darkness).
Other types of offences (such as sexual ones), where an offender enters a property at night, are incredibly rare and it's unlikely that having a porch light on or off would make any difference.
Unless you live in a mansion (or let it be known to all and sundry that you've got a large amount of money stashed away in your house) the chances of being burgled during the night are almost non-existent.
Contrary to the traditional image of a burglar operating at night (whilst dressed in a striped top and an eye mask, with a bag marked 'Swag' over his shoulder), most domestic burglaries are opportunist thefts, when somebody happens to notice a door or window open. They nearly all happen during daylight hours. (It's only 'prime targets', where there are major works of art or other valuables, which organised crime gangs might try to get into during the hours of darkness).
Other types of offences (such as sexual ones), where an offender enters a property at night, are incredibly rare and it's unlikely that having a porch light on or off would make any difference.
I stand by my answer of "it probably makes no difference whatsoever".
Even though your friend may have had an unfortunate experince, your chances of suffering a similar one are still extremely low.
However a potential intruder is neither going to be less likely, or more likely, to target your property just because you've got a light either on or off.
If you're really worried you should be thinking about how such an intruder might get in and then take appropriate action. (e.g. by fitting security film on your windows or improving the quality of the locks on your doors and windows).
Even though your friend may have had an unfortunate experince, your chances of suffering a similar one are still extremely low.
However a potential intruder is neither going to be less likely, or more likely, to target your property just because you've got a light either on or off.
If you're really worried you should be thinking about how such an intruder might get in and then take appropriate action. (e.g. by fitting security film on your windows or improving the quality of the locks on your doors and windows).
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