Chicago, IL (EMZM) June 30, 2012

Summer provides plenty of opportunities to spend time with your family – and there’s nothing better than a hard-earned vacation. Unfortunately, that makes it easy for burglars to victimize empty homes under the cover of darkness.

You want your home to be SAFE, secure, and comfortable. You don’t want your home to become the target of criminal activity. But the shocking truth is that many families will experience burglary, vandalism, or worse. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics shows an annual total of 730 burglaries for every 100,000 people in the population. How can you ensure that your family isn’t one of them?

There are motion sensors, an effective alarm system, and if possible, joining a neighborhood watch. But Charles Otstott of SAFE Electrical says it’s simpler than you may think, “One of the easiest things you can do is install security lighting. Criminals don’t want to go anywhere near a home where they might be seen.”

“The Key,” he continues, “is lighting that reduces glare, shadow, and is energy efficient – you don’t want to break the bank protecting your home!”

Good quality lighting solutions include:

• A well-shielded low pressure sodium (LPS) fixture. The light is well-controlled, energy efficient, and produces no glare, giving maximum visibility.
• Well-controlled and installed flood lights or spot lights.
• Infrared sensor lights. These lights can even be programmed to activate an alarm. These are very cost-effective and offer good visibility when needed (for instance, when taking out the garbage or when there is an intruder).

It’s important to have a qualified electrician install any lighting fixtures. “The safety and security of your home and family isn’t the job for a rookie,” Otstott explains, “You want to be sure that when you need them, your lights function properly.”

You can’t put your life on hold for the Summer. But you can help ensure that there aren’t any unpleasant surprises waiting for you when you get home. A little forethought can save time, money and most importantly – peace of mind.

About SAFE Electrical Service (www.SafeElectricalService.com)
SAFE Electrical Service, located in Chicago, IL, is an electrical contractor with over 20 years’ experience in residential and commercial electrical service.