Jason Williams 
Overview
Your house is a special place where you go every day to eat, unwind, have gatherings, watch your children play, sleep, and so much more. This building serves as a key cornerstone in your daily life. Therefore, we must all take steps to Secure Our Homes. According to this Gleaner article, break-ins decreased by 2.1 per cent in 2024; however, most Jamaicans still view crime as a top concern. This article will explore several means by which you can secure your home and, by extension, your peace of mind.
Light Bulb Camera
A major barrier that many people have with home security cameras is the setup needed. A Lightbulb Camera works exactly the way you think it does – by screwing it into a lightbulb socket. Once the camera has been screwed in you will be able to monitor your house 24/7. I highly recommend the Alkivision Lightbulb Security Camera. This camera has 360° Motion Detection, Full-Color Night Vision, Auto Tracking, Siren Alarm, 24/7 Recording, and more! Most importantly, it is weatherproof, so you can place it outside without worrying about rain damage.
This camera can be easily shared with your family members if you need a second set of eyes on the house. Since it is a 360 Camera, you can use the app to look around the house. This camera offers an additional Cloud subscription for storing recordings, but that is not needed for it to function. The Camera needs to be ‘close enough’ to WiFi, which will enable you to view your house from anywhere. An SD Card is a must have for the camera. I recommend either the Samsung PRO microSD or the Amazon Basics microSD. Both have 128GB versions, which is enough memory for the light bulb camera. There are cases where the bulb may not fit in your lightbulb socket. In such cases, it is recommended to buy a light extender.
Note Well: The following is an advanced move.
You can get creative with this camera by pairing it with an outdoor extension cord, attaching an outlet to socket converter, cover the exposed outlets, screw in the camera and place it in an area with no Light bulb Socket.
Solar Motion Sensor Lights
Thieves thrive in the dark so having automatic lights at night will help to brighten up all corners. Solar Motion Sensor lights have become quite popular in Jamaica recently. Once you set them up, they can run automatically. The best part is that your light bill will be unaffected. It is recommended to use two sets of wall lights for securing your home: . The Ensenior Solar Security Light can be installed on a column close to the roof so that the solar panel can be placed on the roof. These lights should be charged for an entire day before turning them on. You can choose the mode that you prefer however, it is advisable to keep the light on ‘Dim to Sensor Mode(ECO)’. This will cause the lights to be ON(and DIM) but brighten when someone walks by.
Pairing the Ensenior Wall Lights with several Aootek Solar Motion Sensor Lights with Light Reflector will allow you to cover every dark corner of your home. These lights work well when placed close to each other, as they also come equipped with light reflectors.
If you’d rather avoid drilling holes but still want to brighten your yard, Solar Garden Lights are a great solution. They’re ideal for lighting pathways or adding a soft glow to your garden. For more focused lighting—on trees, walls, or architectural features—pair them with Solar Spotlights. Both types can be easily staked into the ground and, once installed, require no maintenance. They charge during the day and automatically light up at night, offering a hassle-free way to illuminate your outdoor space.
Smart Light Bulbs
Smart Light bulbs can be turned on or off easily using an app on your phone. These light bulbs allow you to turn lights on and trick potential robbers into believing you are home. They are also great for lighting up your home before you arrive. Smart light bulbs have a wide range of features such as: scheduling power on and off, dimming lights, turning off lights with your voice(using Google Assistant), changing the light bulb colors, and more. I recommend the Orein Smart Bulb as it doesn’t require a Hub(which must be purchased separately) to operate. All you need is the AI Dot app, and you are ready to setup automations(have the light bulb power on or off at specific times every day) and more!
Mans Best Friend
A dog is a physical deterrent against thieves. May would be robbers change their minds once they realize that a dog is present in the yard. Jamaicans tend to have all manner of preferences when it comes to dogs. A Jamaican Brown Dog or Royal Caribbean Terrier, more commonly known as a ‘mungrel dog’ can get the job done. Mungrels are often seen throughout Jamaica, and some are even placed up for adoption. If you can commit to taking care of a dog, then definitely look into having one as part of your security outfit.
Locks
Would you believe me if I told you that some Jamaicans sleep with their gates unlocked? This makes it easy for thieves to walk into a yard and drive off with a vehicle or two. When it comes to security, you want to make theft as hard or as unappealing as possible. These days, we have fancy Smart Locks that can easily secure your gates; however, standard Discus Padlocks or Master Lock Magnum Heavy Duty Outdoor Padlocks can get the job done. The type of lock you ultimately choose will depend on your needs. Some people have a track record of losing keys as such, they may opt for a Smart Lock that can be unlocked with a Mobile App, a Smart Watch, or a Fingerprint.
Private Security Company
Jamaica has a myriad of private security companies that can help you secure your home. There have been multiple complaints in the past about the slowness of police response. Our citizens don’t have much faith in the local police force and, as such, opt to use a private security service. This view may change due to increased investments in the JCF(Jamaica Constabulary Force). For those of you interested in adding private security, ensure that you compare each service and find one that meets all your needs. These companies offer packages that include alarms, cameras, and even vehicle tracking. It is important to pick a company that has the solutions best suited to your needs.
Comprehensive Security
We explored a range of devices and tools to help secure your home. Many of these work best when used together, so you may need a combination of items. Pairing light bulb cameras, smart bulbs, solar security lights, and smart locks with a dog offers strong, layered protection. That said, some homeowners or renters opt for full private security, which comes with cameras and alarms. Whatever mix you choose, make sure it aligns with your comfort level and security needs.
“Home security isn’t just about locks and alarms—it’s about peace of mind, knowing your family and memories are safe.”
Note Well: The author uses affiliate links in this article. He may earn a commission from these links if you select and purchase items from them.
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