Suppose you’ve been gradually investing in high-quality solar lights for your home. If you’re like most people, that means buying a few units from time to time until you’ve completely replaced all of your old lights.
Suddenly, you find yourself with quite a valuable setup of solar lights all over your yard. Unfortunately, you’re not the only one who recognizes the value of those solar lights.
All of a sudden, your home might become a tempting target for would-be solar light thieves…or just thieves in general. In this article, I wanted to go over 7 easy ways you can keep your solar lights from being stolen.
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How to Keep Your Solar Lights From Being Stolen
Unfortunately, solar light theft is a concern in various areas and thieves are attracted to their portability and ease of removal.
However, by implementing a few practical measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of theft and safeguard your investment.
In the following sections, I will explore effective strategies and tips to keep your solar lights from being stolen. By following these recommendations, you can enjoy the benefits of well-lit outdoor spaces while maintaining peace of mind.
1. Put Them Higher
The first step you can take to discourage would-be thieves is to put their targets out of reach. That would mean mounting your solar lights in higher places that would typically require a ladder to reach.
For instance, that would mean placing your wall-mounted solar lights much higher than an average person can reach with their arms.
Thieves, whether they’re professionals or just a random passerby with sticky fingers, often consider how much effort it’ll take to get away with something valuable like your solar lights. Suppose the entire process takes too much time or effort. If that’s the case, they may decide that those lights aren’t worth the effort, therefore lowering the odds of them stealing anything.
But before you do this, there is one thing you must keep in mind. Placing your lights higher and out of reach will also make it more challenging for you to clean or maintain them. So, you’ll want to make sure you have a ladder handy for moments when you need to inspect your lights up close.
2. Go Tamper-Proof
Another possibility is for you to go tamper-proof. Simply put, that means using screws, bolts, or any mounting equipment that requires specialized tools to remove.
You see, the focus here is to make it much more difficult for a potential thief to remove your expensive solar lights. Your expensive solar lights won’t be such a tempting target when a thief realizes they’ll need to get the right tools for the job.
One example of this is to use Hex or Torx screws to secure your solar lights in place. Technically, those screws function exactly the same as regular Phillips or flathead screws. However, they require special Hex or Torx screwdrivers to tighten or loosen.
The only drawback here is that you’ll need to invest in those specialized tools as well. That will be the only way for you to mount and remove your solar lights as required.
Luckily, you can find a set with more than enough screws and the proper driver at fairly reasonable prices. I like Velocity kit by Phillips since it comes with electric driver bits and over 500 screws of various sizes.
Sure, that’s a bit of an extra investment on your part. But it’ll also give you peace of mind knowing that thieves can’t remove those lights so easily.
3. Put Them In Concrete
Suppose you’re using solar garden lights that generally go right in the ground. If that’s the case, then how can you effectively discourage would-be thieves from simply ripping them out of your garden and running away with them?
Well, imagine if there was a way that you could make those solar lights so heavy that no one could ever take them away. How would you do that? Easy. You’d stick them in concrete!
That’s right! Imagine digging small holes and filling them with concrete before sticking your solar garden light in there. As the concrete hardens, it’ll do so around the footing of your solar lights, keeping them firmly in place. In doing so, those solar lights will become a permanent fixture that no one can remove.
As you might imagine, this option requires a bit more effort and money, especially if you’re hiring someone to do it for you. But if your highest priority is to prevent your solar lights from being stolen right off your lawn, then this is one surefire way to secure what’s yours.
4. Protect Your Lights With More Lights
Thieves will often work in the dark and avoid the risk of being seen. That’s why you can also protect your solar lights with other lights, namely motion-sensing security lights.
The idea here is simple: if someone is trespassing on your property to steal your solar lights, they’ll activate your security lights, which will shine on them very brightly.
That in itself will raise the risk of those thieves being noticed by you, your neighbors, or any other witnesses that might be nearby.
Knowing that their chances of getting caught are much higher, thieves would be discouraged from attempting to steal your valuable solar lights or anything else on your property.
5. Build A Fence
If thieves are a real problem around your neighborhood, then you might want to build a fence around your property. That, of course, is assuming that you don’t already have a fence. If you do, then the next step would be to consider upgrading the fence to make it much more challenging for a thief to hop over.
For some homeowners, that would mean increasing the height of the fence around their home’s perimeter. Others may take it a few steps further by attaching barbed wire and an electrified fence along with it.
Sure, some people might consider these ideas ‘overkill’. But as a homeowner, you have every right to protect your house and the valuable solar lights around it in any way you see fit.
Again, remember that the focus is to make it too challenging for a would-be thief to grab your solar lights. A simple picket fence might be enough to discourage casual thieves. However, you’ll need something a bit more serious if you’re dealing with professionals.
6. Include Them Within Your Home Security
Some homeowners invest in sophisticated home security systems that include alarms, motion sensors, and cameras. Typically, those systems are focused only on the house’s interior to protect against thieves who break and enter the home.
Many people don’t realize that those same systems can also include the exterior of the home as well, such as your front porch or garden. To do that, you’d have to consult your security company to see what options they have for protecting the exterior of your house.
In doing so, you’ll expand the protective ‘bubble’ of your home security system to the outside of your house, which will indirectly protect your solar lights as well.
Alarms will notify you if someone is trespassing on your property late at night, while cameras will deter would-be thieves or capture them in the act!
7. Use A Dog
Last but not least, you could also make use of a dog to protect your solar lights and your home in general. Suppose you already have a guard dog that sleeps outside in a kennel. What you could do is relocate that dog house to wherever your solar lights are located.
That way, the dog will react to any strangers attempting to steal your solar lights, thereby attracting plenty of attention to scare the thief off!
Hopefully, these suggestions will deter anybody that is looking to steal your stuff…but I suppose a determined thief will always find a way. If you need to replace outdoor solar lighting or are looking to purchase your new set and want some recommendations, I’ve done a write-up on the three styles that I use: String Lights, Path Lights, and Fence Lights.
How Common is Solar Light Theft?
Solar light theft has become a concerning issue in many areas, particularly those where outdoor lighting is prevalent.
With the rising popularity of solar lights for their energy efficiency and convenience, they have also become an attractive target for thieves.
Several factors contribute to the appeal of solar lights as a theft target.
- Firstly, these lights are often designed to be easily removable, making it simple for thieves to snatch them from gardens, pathways, or other outdoor areas.
- Solar lights contain valuable components such as solar panels, rechargeable batteries, and LED bulbs, which can be resold or repurposed for personal use or profit.
One significant advantage for thieves is the absence of wiring associated with solar lights. Unlike traditional wired lighting systems, solar lights operate independently and do not require any electrical connections. This makes them more accessible and reduces the risk of detection during theft.
The frequency of solar light theft can vary depending on the location. Areas with higher crime rates or insufficient security measures are often more susceptible to such incidents.
To combat solar light theft, it is vital to implement preventive measures. Some effective strategies include:
- Securing the Lights: Ensure that your solar lights are firmly installed or anchored to prevent easy removal. Consider using tamper-resistant screws or stakes to make it harder for thieves to dislodge them.
- Proper Placement: Position your solar lights strategically, placing them in well-lit and visible areas. Avoid secluded spots or dark corners where thieves can operate unnoticed.
- Motion Sensors and Alarms: Install motion-sensing capabilities or alarms in conjunction with your solar lights. This additional layer of security can deter potential thieves by triggering lights or sounding alarms when motion is detected.
- Neighborhood Watch and Community Involvement: Encourage community awareness and cooperation. Establish a neighborhood watch program or communicate with neighbors about solar light theft concerns. Collectively, vigilance can help deter theft and foster a safer environment.
- Marking and Identification: Consider marking your solar lights with unique identifiers such as serial numbers or distinctive markings. This makes it harder for stolen lights to be sold or passed off as someone else’s property.
- Surveillance Systems: Install security cameras or surveillance systems to monitor your property. Visible cameras act as a deterrent, and recorded footage can aid in identifying and apprehending thieves.
- Reporting Incidents: If theft occurs, promptly report the incident to local law enforcement. Provide any relevant details or evidence that may assist in the investigation.
While solar light theft remains a concern, taking proactive measures to protect your investment can significantly reduce the risk. By implementing these strategies and promoting community awareness, you can safeguard your solar lights and enjoy their benefits with peace of mind.
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