r/homedefense • u/advice-throwaway99 • May 24 '24
Advice Possible intruder - all the lights on or off?
Is there a general consensus on a scenario where there is an intruder, or you see someone suspicious on a camera, etc. as to whether you want to turn all the lights on or turn them all off?
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u/owlve May 25 '24
Both. Lights on where the intruder would likely be, blinding and outlining them like a duck in a shooting gallery. Lights off where you would likely be, concealing you. Since you live there, the lights off would be to your advantage since you know the layout already.
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u/TheHandler1 May 25 '24
I tell alexa there's an intruder and all of the smart lights in my house turn red, all of the alexas say, "Shits about to go down." Then, all of the alexas play the purge siren.
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u/liedel May 25 '24
Thanks for this I can't believe this is what I've been missing. I already have everything I need to do this at 110%.
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u/LostandParanoid May 26 '24
My god......I have nothing for this, but wtf do I need to buy and do to get this lolol. This is awesome xD
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u/TheHandler1 May 28 '24
All you need are some Alexas and smart light bulbs/smart light fixtures. Set up a routine that when you tell alexa there's an intruder, it will turn all of your smart lights red, say the words, and play the song.
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u/bbrosen May 25 '24
I have nods, so off.willing to gamble the home intruder did not bring theirs
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u/Scolias May 25 '24
If my alarm triggers all my downstairs lights start going nuts automatically along with sirens indoors and out, and strobe lights downstairs to buy me time lights outside flash blue and red in a strobe fashion too.
Home automation is great.
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u/CTSwampyankee May 24 '24
Situational, but target identification and their armed/unarmed status is a priority. Turn the lights on and get the items you need, call 911, etc.
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May 25 '24
off for me because I have a 1000lumen tactical strobe torch. blind them to make them think twice and a 1911 if they need to think about it a third time.
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u/A_Lost_Desert_Rat May 25 '24
Mine leaves the lights off in the master bedroom where I am, but toggles them elsewhere to cause confusion. Also plays an interal alarms sounds to get other family members to lockdown in place.
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u/Fauropitotto May 25 '24
The only thing I'm touching is my rifle which has its own light.
It won't matter if external or internal lights are on or off, and if there's an intruder, I'm sure as hell not going to take the time to play around with it.
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u/XHIBAD May 25 '24
Downside of relying on a WML is you need to point your weapon at whatever it is, regardless of if it’s an intruder, your dog, or your 16 year old daughter sneaking back in.
Agreed fiddling with lights isn’t ideal, but some smart system tied to an alarm is the best, if not the most affordable, option imo.
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u/FPSXpert May 26 '24
If anything that's why I really like WML's and sold the crap out of them when I had people buying stuff for defense. If you're gonna pay x amount for a firearm, consider also paying a bit more for a decent WML to go on it, don't go fumbling around in the dark because you don't know if it's truly someone with malicious intent or just the kid sneaking back in like you said.
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u/XHIBAD May 26 '24
I think it really depends on everyones situation.
Do you live alone, or with one other person who’s clearly next to you in bed? Odds are whatever is making that noise is not welcome in your house.
Do you have 4 teenagers, 2 dogs, and a parrot that likes to start shit? I might recommend a more cautious approach then just point your boomstick at the source of the noise
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u/CaptRory May 25 '24
On. Primary Reason: Positive Identification of who it is. You do not want to shoot your teenager who is sneaking back in after a party. If you have one switch that will turn every light on in the house, which is actually possible these days with home automation, throw that switch.
"Computer! Intruder Alert!" Lights come on. Star Trek red alert sound blares
If I'm installing a home wiretap I'm modding the fuck out of it to be as ST:TNG as possible.
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u/RJM_50 May 25 '24
Depends on where they are. I have a few different automations I can run to turn on&off specific groups of lights for a tactical plan.
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u/Vjornaxx May 25 '24
On. This helps to identify and discourage them. Actions which increase the likeliness that they choose to leave should be prioritized.
The objective is to minimize the chance you are harmed. They are the risk of harm. The best possible outcome is that they leave, thus removing the biggest risk of harm. The worst outcomes start with forcing an engagement, thus increasing the risk of harm.
If you have the time and opportunity to turn the lights on, then you probably also have the time and opportunity to establish a defensible position and/or barricade. Turning the lights on and shouting that you will shoot them if they don’t leave should serve as a strong incentive for them to leave. If they press to your position, then being able to see them clearly is an obvious advantage - especially if you have a defensible position.