Daylight Savings Is Over – This Clever $20 Gadget Is the Quick Security Solution You Need to Help Deter Burglars on Dark Winter Nights

With daylight savings time over, evenings are suddenly darker, quicker – just in time for us to fill our homes with gifts for the holiday period. It's a small seasonal shift that potential burglars often take advantage of.

That's why experts recommend a simple yet effective fix: A TV mimic light from Amazon. For less than $20, you can make it look like someone's home whenever you are working late or out on winter vacation.

Here, they explain why it is one of the best affordable home security tips, and how to use one effectively to deter burglars this winter.

This $20 Gadget Helps Secure Your Home on Dark Nights

When picking the best security measures for a house, lighting ideas likely don't rank high on your list. However, according to Jeff Wenninger, founder and CEO of Law Enforcement Consultants, explains that visual cues like lighting can make 'all the difference' in dissuading a potential burglar.

'Anything that creates the perception that someone is home deters property crime. Lights that mimic the glow and movement of a television are particularly effective because they signal human activity. When placed on a smart plug [available for less than $10 at Walmart] or positioned upstairs, where no one can see the source, they create the illusion of someone going about their evening.

'It’s the same basic principle as the classic Home Alone scene where Kevin McCallister choreographs a fake party to trick burglars into thinking the house is full,' Jeff points out. 'It’s about manufacturing normalcy.'

The trick, he adds, is to pair a TV mimic light with other smart home must-haves, whether or not you have the best home security system or are trying to secure your home without a security system.

As you should not leave lights on when you go on vacation, Jeff suggests using smart lighting to help mimic presence at home. My prized Philips Hue Bulbs, from Amazon, for example, come with a mimic setting that replicates a typical usage pattern, differing from the activation and turn-off times every night to make it look like people inside my home are moving between rooms and getting ready for bed.

A more affordable option is to set up your existing lighting on smart plugs, such as the Alexa smart plugs, available at Amazon. With these, I set slightly different times in routines for each night I am not at home, so burglars will find it harder to spot patterns of behavior.

Jeff also suggests investing in garden security lighting with motion sensors to help deter burglars who may approach your home.

'Even simple background noise like a radio on a talk station can help,' he adds. 'During the winter and holiday season, when many homes sit empty for extended periods, these details can be the difference between being targeted or passed over. The goal isn’t to make your home look fortified; it’s to make it look lived in.'

Home Security Essentials

Meet the Expert

Jeff Wenninger

Jeff Wenninger is a nationally recognized law enforcement expert with over 33 years of experience, primarily with the LAPD. As the Founder & CEO of Law Enforcement Consultants, LLC, he specializes in police use of force incidents, crowd management, school safety, and the development of police management best practices. His work aims to align police methods with societal expectations, improve public trust, and enhance police training.

With your belongings secured, it’s time to protect your home from damage by setting your thermostat to the ideal temperature before your winter vacation, preventing burst pipes and flooding when you return.