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Original poster

Houses with NO lights on in winter

195 replies

BruceAndNosh · 04/11/2021 19:48

I guess it's more noticeable now the clocks have changed, but both our neighbours' houses are in total darkness at 7pm. It's obvious that no one is at home, the house is empty.
Is this not a security risk?
I think they both have burglar alarms but don't think either of them ever use it.

Yes, I know thousands of people can't afford to leave random lights on, but this isn't the case here.

I hate a dark house and have a couple of lights set to come on automatically at dusk.

What do you do?

OP posts:
Littleducks · 04/11/2021 19:50

I don't leave lights on, doesn't seem eco friendly.

Whataday21 · 04/11/2021 19:54

Just got my timer out the other day. It goes on one living room lamp.

2tired2bewitty · 04/11/2021 19:57

Although I do often leave a light on somewhere in the house, I don’t truly believe that a determined burglar is going to look at a house with no car on the drive and the landing light on and think “better try somewhere else”.

DogCatRabbit · 04/11/2021 19:58

I have a lamp that comes on at 4pm; the house still looks pretty empty in my view as all the curtains are open.

But it's not in total darkness as yes, leaving it pitch black is definitely is a security risk, judging my past burglaries in this road.

If I knew I was going to be out all day / into the evening I would either leave a light on or ideally get a friend to pop by and draw the curtains and put a few more lights on. Can't be too careful round here.

Bringonthepjs · 04/11/2021 19:59

I don't leave lights on, doesn't seem eco friendly.

I think in the grand scheme of things sticking a couple of low energy lights on a timer switch won't really make a whole heap of difference

Coronado2 · 04/11/2021 19:59

If I'm out then the lights are off. I might leave the malp in the hallway on, but that would be for whoever is coming home first, not to deter burglars

Comedycook · 04/11/2021 19:59

I might leave the hallway light on but that's it

Bringonthepjs · 04/11/2021 20:00

I certainly put a few on timer switches. If it's in total darkness then it's 100% obvious no one is home but a couple of lights would at least afford some doubt

LubaLuca · 04/11/2021 20:01

I got an email from Neighbourhood Watch this evening reminding me to put a light on a timer now. Presumably there is some truth in it being a worthwhile deterrent.

FatCatThinCat · 04/11/2021 20:02

My house looks like nobody is home as the living room is at the back and we only have lights on in the room we're using.

Theunamedcat · 04/11/2021 20:02

I leave my hall light on and close my curtains but anyone watching my house will notice my downstairs lights are rarely on in the evening

FawnFrenchieMum · 04/11/2021 20:03

I’m in bed now at 8pm so from the outside our house looks in total darkness but we’re very much in. My DS’s room probably has the lights on but he’s round the back so no one would know, also when we’re in the kitchen it appears no one’s home.

Precipice · 04/11/2021 20:03

Since most houses and flats have rooms on either side, someone might be in with the lights on in another room from a side not seen from the street.

I've never deliberately left a light on while I was out.

CelloYouveGotABass · 04/11/2021 20:03

We have a reception room at the front, but spend most of our time in the open plan at the back, so you’d never know if we were home or not.
I’d never think to leave a light on when I go out.
Then again, my German Shepherd does a better job for home security than a hallway light.

Sparklingbrook · 04/11/2021 20:04

I have a couple of lights on timers, I think it's not sensible to advertise that there may be nobody in.
Also I don't like returning to a house in darkness after work.

Babdoc · 04/11/2021 20:05

What would burglars actually bother breaking in for? Nobody keeps wads of cash in their house, and if you are out, you have presumably taken your car, keys, credit card and phone with you.
In my house, they would be very disappointed unless they fancy trying to lug away a few thousand paperbacks, with a resale value of about 1p each!

Teaandakitkat · 04/11/2021 20:08

We have lights on timers. I don't like coming in to a dark house. Dh doesn't like lights on in empty rooms so it's a constant source of tension in our house from now till April.

senorafridgidaire · 04/11/2021 20:11

I had to think hard about this as I couldn't think what we do...and then realised we pretty much never go out any more so its not an issue!!

NiceGerbil · 04/11/2021 20:12

Only read OP.

Are you a burglar??!!

I can't say I notice about lights in neighbours houses. MN really is enlightening.

I know people do though.. Bins out or not? Opened curtains? Etc etc.

I mean who cares.

If you're worried about their security then have a chat with them rather than posting on here.

NiceGerbil · 04/11/2021 20:15

If a burglar has eye on house then a timer is totally obvious. I mean a pro they check house out for a bit don't want to have any people.

Opportunists are more see opportunity open window etc nip in grab out.

My parents are in a high risk burglary area. Been burgled 3 times each was cos my dad forgot to lock doors Hmm

NiceGerbil · 04/11/2021 20:17

I'm also guessing that OP interest in goings on would mean cops called at hint of trouble!!

7pm would be a shit time to break in surely. Risk people come home from work.

If I were a pro I'd look for out all day/ hols personally.

TuftyMarmoset · 04/11/2021 20:18

It’s never even crossed my mind to do this. Seems like pointless light pollution. Surely if they can see lights are on then the curtains are open and they can see there are no people in the room. And if the curtains are closed and the light is coming through you need better curtains tbh.

TuftyMarmoset · 04/11/2021 20:19

Also how do you know they’re not in a room at the back of the house?

Sparklingbrook · 04/11/2021 20:20

@NiceGerbil

Only read OP.

Are you a burglar??!!

I can't say I notice about lights in neighbours houses. MN really is enlightening.

I know people do though.. Bins out or not? Opened curtains? Etc etc.

I mean who cares.

If you're worried about their security then have a chat with them rather than posting on here.

Bit rude. Why is OP not allowed to post on here? Confused Why would they be a burglar?

When I drive up my street I tend to notice things. but then I like my neighbours and we all look out for each other. I care.

Sparklingbrook · 04/11/2021 20:20

@NiceGerbil

I'm also guessing that OP interest in goings on would mean cops called at hint of trouble!!

7pm would be a shit time to break in surely. Risk people come home from work.

If I were a pro I'd look for out all day/ hols personally.

Sounds like you are a burglar.