pax
I agree with your accessment as well.
MY thoughts and why I agree with both Preacher and pax. Each home and/or business is different.
I've said before in another life security was a real concern. I've had some LEO types and friends "do a walk through". Heck I have even had to "break into my home"...play the thief, so to speak.
So yes I had ambient lighting strategically placed to illuminate BG ,and not me. IF the total power is cut, electricity is off due to a storm, emergency lighting both in/outdoors. IF I'm a BG I'm not gonna pick the house the guy has emergency lighting and other measures when the power is off...that crazy fool is most likley to be responsible enough to have loaded firearms and knows how to use them. I'm gonna mossie down and pick the dark house with unkept yard and shrubs.
Now I have little experience with multi level homes. I have house sat a few, and lived in a townhouse once.
Remotes are handy, one buddy keeps a light on all night downstairs, what he has done is rigged that light to turn OFF and a recording of sounds from that room.
Same principle I used when short staffed in business, I would call myself on two phone lines and put myself on hold. I had recorded noises of people working, if a person was casing us, MAYBE seeing the phones and hearing voices and noises would give me an edge, just because he did not SEE anyone didn't mean behind those on way mirrors was not a 12 ga.
BTW I never exposed all my phones or phones lines to the public.
If you break in and there is a light on while you are standing downstairs, and is goes dark, and you hear noises...what are going to think.
I think perhaps each person's needs are unique, multi-level , wife , kids, invalid in the home...so how would you defeat your own home?
I get asked to do walk thru's...it is educational , makes one think. I got the weebie jeebies doing this once ,a life size stuffed animal with reflective eyes,made me stop going down the side hallway once. I swear that raccoon looked like a mean old dog.