This Device Helps to Keep Your Home Safe for the Holidays
The great debate: Do you leave your Christmas tree lights on when you leave for the holidays?
- By Sydny Shepard
- Dec 20, 2018
In Christmas seasons past, there has always been the debate of whether or not to leave your Christmas tree lights on when you leave your home for the holidays. While police departments have always urged residents to do so in order to make the residence seem occupied to ward off burglars, the fire departments have always warned against leaving the lights on as they could become overheated and spark a fire.
It seems that the two departments have come to terms with the other argument and have met in the middle. Both departments are urging residents to put their lights on a timer.
"Timers can make all of the difference," said Officer Hyda Slone, community relations officer for the Hilliard Police Department.
Most timers are inexpensive and are used similarly to an alarm clock where you set what time you'd like the lights to come on and for how long. Other, more expensive, timers can be used via smartphone applications where you can remotely turn on and off the lights.
Other devices can be used to create these same effects, such as smart outlets or light systems that allow lights in your whole house to be turned on or off remotely.
"The whole goal is for the place to look lived in," Slone said.
The fire departments have conceded that, for security reasons, it is a good idea to keep some lights on but ask that if you are going to leave them on for an extended amount of time, that you use an LED light bulb, hitch tends to be safer than an incandescent light bulb, because it burns at a lower temperature.
About the Author
Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.