Use Outdoor Solar Lighting to Improve Safety

Most people think of security features like flood lights, security lamps, and motion detectors when it comes to lighting for safety. While many people know that good outdoor lighting can be an effective way to deter crime, criminal activity isn’t the only danger that exists in dark outdoor areas. Dark stairways and edges can be even more dangerous than a prowler.

Solar lighting can provide a solution to the hazards of poor outdoor lighting. It can be used to light up steps or ramp edges that can’t easily be seen in the dark, or on walkways that cover uneven ground. For some, the cost of installing electrical wiring along a winding walkway may be prohibitive. Solar path lighting is an inexpensive alternative. Other options include solar step lights or solar lighting along a dock or ramp.

There are a variety of outdoor solar fixtures that can be mounted on poles and anchored into the ground, or can be mounted with clamps that attach the fixtures to the edge of a ramp or step. For optimal lighting, select a product that uses a bright LED light. With this option, you won’t have to be concerned with burned-out bulbs, since LEDs can last for up to 20 years. The illumination provided by an LED is similar to a halogen bulb.

The majority of outdoor solar path lights include built in photo cells and solar panels. This means that they are able to recharge continuously, and they will automatically light up when darkness falls. If you purchase lights that use rechargeable Ni-Cad batteries, the solar lights will function even during times when they don’t receive enough sunlight to be fully recharged during, for example during the winter or after a series of cloudy or overcast days.

Decorative pathway lights are available in an array of colors, with amber, green, blue, and red being the most common. Still, white light is the brightest and most effective for providing the best lighting for outdoor safety. You should know, however, that white light that ranges too close to the cool (blue) end of the spectrum can be glaring and irritate those who are sensitive to it. You’ll want to check with the manufacturer to make sure that the “white” light you choose is closer to the warm (yellow) end of the visible light spectrum to provide optimal comfort and safety.