[dogscoff]

If you're going to install floodlights, be careful.

Many thieves & prowlers *prefer* houses with high-powered motion-triggered halogen spotlights. These lights are so bright that they cast very dark, very deep shadows, and the sharp contrast makes it very difficult to spot someone hiding in those shadows- more difficult than if the whole area remained in half-light.

Therefore, make sure you position the lights so as not to create any shady hiding places for the bad guys.