When displaying the American flag outdoors, you’ll typically need to illuminate it. According to the U.S. Flag Code, the American flag should only be displayed from sunrise to sunset unless it’s properly illuminated. You can always take down your American flag before sunset, but doing so every day can be tedious and time-consuming. An easier solution is to illuminate your American flag at night so that it complies with the U.S. Flag Code. Here are five lighting tips on how to illuminate your American flag at night.
#1) Choose the Right Type of Light
Not all outdoor lights are made equal. Some of them provide better illumination than others. Solar lights are typically the worst. While they are energy efficient, they aren’t very bright. Instead of using a solar light, consider using a light-emitting diode (LED) fixture. Outdoor LED fixtures are both powerful and energy efficient, making them an excellent choice for illuminating American flags.
#2) Position Towards Your American Flag
You should position the light towards your American flag. When turned on, the light should beam directly at your American flag. It shouldn’t beam to the side of your American flag. If the light is off to the side, it won’t create a patriotic effect. You need to position it directly towards your American flag so that it illuminates the flag while creating a patriotic effect in the process.
#3) Ensure Full Coverage
Make sure the light covers all of your American flag. In other words, your entire American flag should be illuminated at night. Small lights may only cover a portion of your American flag. In cases such as this, you can either upgrade to a single large light, or you can install additional small lights. Regardless, you should use a lighting setup that covers all of your American flag.
#4) Clean Regularly
Whether you choose a solar light, an LED fixture or any other type of outdoor light, you’ll need to clean it. Outdoor lights will collect dirt and dust. If you don’t clean them, they may fail prematurely, in which case they won’t illuminate your American flag at night.
#5) Test During the Night
It’s a good idea to test your lighting setup at night. When the sun goes down, go outside and turn on the light to inspect your American flag. It should be fully illuminated with the light beaming directly on it. If it’s not, try to reposition the light.
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