Life & Work

Automatic security lights can make you sleep better at night

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Creative Innovations Ltd manager of project lighting Fred Aluhondo displays a solar powered lights for illuminating a garden in their offices. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU

The festive season is with us again and Kenyan culture entails people travelling to some holiday destination or the other, or going upcountry to catch up and bond with their extended families over Christmas and New Year. This is the period a home robbery or break-in is most likely to occur, security experts warn.

Coming back from safari to discover that something has gone wrong in your house can be frustrating. This is not to scare you but it is important that travellers take precaution and install security fixtures like automated solar security lights.

One such automation system links the indoors, gate, music system, house lighting, microwave, says Fred Aluhondo, project lighting manager at Creative Innovations.

Aluhondo says the system uses a photocell, an electronic timer and motion sensors that trigger when there is intrusion.

“If you have travelled and have not left anyone behind, the system will behave in such a way that someone might think there are people at home. It will, for instance, turn on your stereo and switch it off when you want. The lights will automatically come on when darkness falls and go off at the break of dawn,” says Aluhondo.

Mimic conversations

You can schedule the timer in a way to mimic some activity going on both inside and outside your house at different times. This is to keep away anyone intent on robbing you, because it does not take a genius to figure out that the lights go on exactly at 7pm and off at 7am every day. There are timers that are controlled by a smartphone application hence making your work even easier.

You can also add something that creates noise, for instance, mimicking actual conversations.

“Take an MP3 recording or even a good quality CD player. Just make a loop of a long spoken track. Place the player near the door. This way, anyone who comes near the house will think that there are people talking,” he says.

When fully charged, Aluhondo says the automated solar security lights, which work on dim and bright cells, can function for two days, and eight hours non-stop.

He says that when the lights go off in the morning, the system automatically starts charging through a solar panel fixed inside the compound.

In the event that dull or foggy weather is experienced, like with the current rains, the system – which is available at their Road A showroom offices – incorporates a motor crystalline technology, which continues to charge and stores energy in an affixed battery.

“The lithium oxide battery has a lifespan of about four years after installation. It can be fixed to a five or 12-watt security lighting in your garden where it will automatically come on in the evening and go off at dawn,” says Aluhondo.

The system can even be programmed to draw your curtains in the morning and evening to give the illusion that there are people in the house.

He opines that small bollards with spikes – less than or one meter high and with 0.36 watts – work well inside the compound and around your garden, lighting the lawn and pathway.

Depending on the number of watts per system, Aluhondo states that a light will cost around Sh2,995 to Sh4,995 plus installation fee.

“The automated solar security lights system can be bought for as low as Sh2,000 up to Sh50,000 or even more depending on the size of your compound and a consumer’s security needs,” he said.

Jerusha Mwamburi, a resident at the Coast, says the security light system is working well for her. Since she does not leave anyone in the house when she goes to work, she thought it wise to install the automated lights to keep intruders away.

“When we leave in the morning, we lock up the house and since we may get stuck in traffic on our way back from work, I find the lights on when I arrive so I don’t have to fumble in the dark. Anyone coming near the house would believe that there are people in the house,” said Mrs Mwamburi.

She says that her lights come on automatically even when switched off from the main switch, as long as it gets dark.

A security light mounted on the wall of her house facing the gate makes it easy for her to open her gate to park her car.

“When I alight to open the gate, I feel safe because there is enough light to intimidate anyone with ill intentions. I bought the light at Sh2,500 and the installation cost me only Sh500,” she said.

With the holiday season just weeks away, it’s worth your while to ensure your home is secure while you are away. Look around for the best deal for your security lighting.

Even for those who will not be travelling, this is a great way to keep your home well lit without costing a fortune.

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