Solar Address Lights for Emergencies

Solar address numbers will help to make your house easier to find, especially in an emergency. Find out what types are available, what their advantages are and how to make them yourself.

Having solar lighted address numbers on your house or in your yard can create an easy way for night time visitors to find your house. Solar lighted number signs can be especially helpful for emergency workers, such as the fire department or rescue squad, to find your house too, especially if the electricity is out and the area you live in is dark.

This type of address identification comes in several models and styles, and you can purchase them at your local home supply store. They usually come in white, green, blue, amber, or red colored lights. There are signs that you mount on the front of your house, or on your mailbox. And, there are signs on posts that you can place in your front yard. There are even signs that look like small lanterns that you can hang up too. If you want your house to have even more identification on it, you can even purchase signs that light up that have your last name and full street address on them too.

The easiest signs to install and maintain are the solar type. The basic kits have number plates that you can install and remove. These address number signs have rechargeable batteries and a light sensor. The batteries are charged by solar power during the day. Then, when the light sensor detects that's it getting dark outside, the lights automatically come on. They stay lit up all through the night to provide identification when it's dark outside. Of course, when the days are longer, these lights are able to absorb more of the sunlight, so they are brighter in the warmer weather. They cost practically nothing to operate since they are powered by the power of the sun.

Even if you are not skilled when it comes to electrical wiring, you can probably install a solar powered lighted address number sign yourself by just reading and following the manufacturer's instructions. Some lighted signs are made with posts so they can just be stuck into the ground and moved if necessary. Powered by the sun, these lights can be visible for several hundred feet. And, if you move, you can simply take your solar powered address number sign with you!

Most solar lights have fixed lights, so there are no traditional bulbs to burn out and change. Instead, they are lighted by using light emitting diodes or "LED's" as they are most commonly called.

LED’s are long lasting, especially when they only work in the dark in a solar lighted address sign. Another important advantage to using a solar powered address sign is that they don't get hot. Thus, there's no chance of them getting overheated and becoming a fire hazard.

Of course, there are also lighted address number signs that are powered by electricity too. This type needs to be permanently wired to the electricity box in your house. Obviously, if the electricity goes out in your house, your address lights won't work. Another disadvantage is that you will need to run an electrical wire to the outside of your house or to your yard, wherever you want to place the light at. And, the address light will need to be permanently installed, and cannot be easily moved. This could be a tricky task if there are bushes, trees, a concrete sidewalk, et cetera, in the way. Plus, if you don't have the skills to wire the address light yourself; you'll need to hire a licensed electrical contractor to do the job.