Home Invasion / Lights On or Off?

Always Lit

I keep all likely entry points lit at night using low powered flurescent lights. I will always be approaching these areas from the concealment of darkness, the intruder will always find himself exposed, and the lighting is not so bright as to cause me the momentary photosensitivity commonly experienced when moving from an area of darkness to an area of light. No need for weapon lights, no need to turn on/off any lights. Low powered flurescents add little to my energy costs and last for years.
 
Let the German Shepherd Dog clear the house for me. Generally speaking, they could care less if the lights are on or not, and are letting the BG(s) know that you are now awake even before they BG(s) are inside.
Another great deterent is motion sensing perimeter lighting.

Dobies work well too.
 
I didn't read through all the posts, but this is all I have. I use LED night lights I purchased at Walgreens through out my house. They have a light sensor on them so they automaticly come on, and they only cost about $.25 a year to use. The amount of light the throw out combined with night sights on my M&P45 is all I need.
-Kurt
 
I'll have to go for lights off. I expect any intruder who enters my home with intent to rob to make a beeline for my computer area, which is persistently bathed in an eerie red glow from the components. The computer area is directly at the bottom of my staircase, and if he enters that area, or climbs the stairs, he will be directly within my line of sight from my bed, or from the bathroom. I also have a maglite with a red LED bulb, which won't blind, but will certainly illuminate whatever I need lit up - in case of multiple BG's heading up the stairs after I engage the first, I can light em up and take em down.

However, in reality, upon hearing my last "bump in the night," I lept from bed, went crashing down my staircase, and finally regained my footing to discover that I was somewhat lacking in clothing, weaponry, light, and thankfully, bad guys. My home invader was a marauding tree limb that smacked the side of my building.
 
My response is dictated by my circumstances
1 Single level dwelling
2 Only occupants are my wife and I
3 Three entrances, all on the farside
of the house
4 floorplan will funnel any intruder into
the LR/DR
5 Outside lighting backlights both rooms

In the event I hear a bump in the night I can step right outside the BR door and cover most of the first floor and the only way up from the basement. I’m in the shadows and anyone in the house has to cross one of the two lighted zones. Under those conditions, I think my best bet is to wait there in the shadows and let them come to me. More lights would be a disadvantage
 
Another my response is dictated by my circumstances answer. Everyone's should be, really.

In instances where I believe someone may be in my home, I leave the lights off, and will produce it as necessary from either a hand held or weapon mounted light. At the point I no longer believe anyone may be in my house, I may turn lights on for a quick inspection of things. (I live in a windy area, and things frequently get knocked and blown about.)

Why?

I am very comfortable navigating my home, if it comes to that, using ambient light. Holding a choke point from a position of cover and concealment is easy in comparison.

That's how I train and practice it; I have a comfort level.

And all (most?) of the previously expressed concerns about turning on the lights.
 
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There is some good discussion in this thread. I started implementing some of the Insteon controls a while back - I like them a lot but they are a bit expensive.

I regard to a pistol mounted light - I was under the impression that the preferred approach is to carry said light in the non-weapon hand away from your body. That way any shots aimed at the source of the light would not strike you. What are the thoughts of those who carry it on their pistol?

Superhouse 15, I can't believe I'm asking but... how do you like your balls?
 
"I regard to a pistol mounted light - I was under the impression that the preferred approach is to carry said light in the non-weapon hand away from your body. That way any shots aimed at the source of the light would not strike you. What are the thoughts of those who carry it on their pistol?"

There are more people today than ever before utilizing weapons mounted and close held flashlight techniques and relatively few documented instances of such users taking fire by shooters aiming at the light.

If still concerned, being able to flow from technique to technique as necessary has merit:
http://www.surefire.com/articles-handheld_techniques

http://www.surefireinstitute.com/page/videos/low_light_technic_one

http://www.surefireinstitute.com/page/videos/low_light_technic_two

http://www.surefireinstitute.com/page/videos/low_light_technic_three
 
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I agree with some of the posters about not clearing your house if you know a bad guy is inside the house. Even patrol officers will surround and call-out if they know for sure. However, there is a problem, what if you have a split floorplan with kids on one side of the house and you and the wife on the other? Do what you got to do to protect your family. If you've got everyone in one room, get low behind something solid, get your gun trained on the door, call 911 and wait.

If you've got to clear the house, unless you can turn all of the lights on at once, keep the lights off. . Then move as slowly and quietly as you can, use your flashlight only as needed (intermittedly as you clear as not to completely telegraph your position). Stop frequently and listen. Depending on what you hear, consider challenging any intruder with loud verbal commands like, "Get out of my house, I've got a gun, I will shoot you, the Police are on the way." If you've got him pinpointed somewhere, create a little distance, get cover, get low, and challenge him out. If he does something stupid, solve the problem appropriately.
 
Does anyone have a light that can shine toward the entry point of your bedroom? That would iluminate the suspect for easy ID, probably cause a temporary reduction in their vision, and keep you from being the source of the light (i.e. target). Defender in the shadows, suspect in the spotlight and in a natural funnel. This would also make target ID easier, which could be VERY valuable if the suspect turns out to be a non-BG.

Just a thought.
 
Animals are always great to have in this situation. Dogs for the obvious reason, but even cats are better than nothing. For example, everybody that comes through my door is a potential new buddy for either of my cats. So when I hear that bump, either the cats are going to be jumping off the bed to go greet their new best friend, or they're going to be jumping back onto the bed telling me, "Wasn't me-I didn't do it" before I even say anything. Oh yeah, complete angels, always.:rolleyes:

Handgun & flashlight at my side, remote lights, and a fairly small and fairly secure house, but those cats are great at supplying information, nonetheless.
 
I know this...

First, don't try to clear a house by yourself. (Obligitatory statement out of the way.)

Second, there is one tactical rule that I learned as an 11B: Never be between a light and a threat. If you find yourself in a position in which you are in the dark with a threat in the area, never allow a light to be behind you. You then become a target. Never shillouette yourself in a doorway or window. Nightlights and moonlight will give someone a perfect target.

Remember: stay low, stay shadowed, move fast.
 
In any situation where you believe an intruder is inside your house, your best bet is to either
a) take a position that allows you advanced warning of their approach.
b) hold up in a locked room with your weapon(s) ready.

Do not go looking for trouble. You might find plenty of it.

In homes where family members are not accessible to you it is advisable to have a practiced escape & alarm plan. That is youngsters are shown how to escape via windows and run to one or two trusted neighbor's homes to sound the alarm.

Almost nothing beats having a protective family dog in the house (unless it's two or more dogs). Dogs provide early warning of prowlers, raise the alarm and keep an intruder off balance. Having a dog or dogs sleep with the kids on the far side of the house will provide them a good deterrent for any intruder.
 
I've developed a high tech solution to the problem. I leave a dim light on in the living room so I can see, from my bedroom door or hallway, what's going on out there. This also backlights anyone in the hall coming toward me.

Could be that Para Bellum's solution is even more high tech than mine. :D

Still have a SureFire, hand held or on my 870, in case Bubba, and his friends think to deactivate the light--could happen.

Did somebody really ask if you should turn on the lights?! Well, the only light switch I'd have access to is one that would illuminate mostly ME, while probably leaving Bubba in the dark! I don't think so.:cool:
 
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I have found this thread to be extremely interesting. As you can see, I'm new around here, but I've spent a bit of time on another forum which shall remain nameless.

A similar topic was raised on that other forum and I responded as many of you have here - don't go looking for trouble. Take up a defensive position, etc.

Almost to a person, I was chastised for my view. I was called several unflattering things and my manhood was brought into question.

I'm not sure what it all means, but I sure find it interesting.
 
If someone wants to criticize another person for using their brains instead of trying to be a 1-man SWAT team, let them. Foolish criticisms are just that--foolish.

There are times when clearing or paritally clearing a home is a sound choice (i.e. to get the rest of the family into a safer position), but trying to clear a house for the heck of it, against an unknown threat is asking for a lot of trouble.
 
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