I didn't realize that these existed until I read an article from dailypassport. They are on sale on Amazon now with limited amounts for purchase per person. The white bulbs are 70% off and the colored ones are 50% off. I bought two for my house and one each for my adult sons' homes. You can control these lights from anywhere with an app on your smart phone. When I'm up at 8 a.m. in Barcelona, for instance, it will be 2 a.m. at home. I'll be turning it on then for three minutes to make it look like someone is home and just got up to use the bathroom. I like it.
https://www.amazon.com/Sengled-Changing-Bluetooth-Multicolor-Brightness/dp/B08TG5X172?linkCode=sl1&tag=dailypassport-20&linkId=aa206dd132f3915a0df7bfcfbcfb9c39&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl&th=1
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
3644 posts
I have smart plugs that work in a similar way. Mine can be programmed to go on and off on a schedule so I have them hooked to four different lamps. I don't bother turning off the programming when I come home - one less thing to manage :)
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32592 posts
I also have "smart" plugs and light switches for a few areas of my home. These can be controlled either via my phone or set up on timers (apparently a HomePod or whatever is required for the timer function). I've found that the smart plugs occasionally go into "brain lock" and have to be reset, so I also have a few old fashioned mechanical timers in a few areas.
Posted by
OP
1495 posts
I like the idea of these smart lightbulbs because i can vary the times and amount of time that they come on. Nothing is consistent or a pattern that a thief can discern.
Posted by
London
2260 posts
I'm not sure anyone is going to notice your light coming on for three minutes in the middle of the night though.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
9563 posts
I have a "fake TV light" that will simulate flickering multi--colored lights on a programmed schedule. You have it pointed to a window while being hidden and it looks like someone is watching TV in the bedroom, etc. fake TV
Posted by
OP
1495 posts
Will wonders never cease?! I like one that I can control with a phone app that I set up for random times, random lengths of time, etc., but the fake TV is clever.
Posted by
Victoria, Australia
46 posts
I've been using these plugs & bulbs for a while. They also work with my Alexa & Google hubs. That is when at home, I can just say "Google lights on" or similar. I can also turn on TV, radio, pod casts or music to come out of all the speakers, Sonos included, via the Apps. Another smart thing is a "Ring doorbell" You can get different brands, but Ring is the best known. An example, If you are in Barcelona and someone comes to your front door, the camera will alert you, show who it is and if they ring the bell, you can talk to them and say "I'm in the shower, go away"
I can also start my car from anywhere in the world. That will startle a would be intruder.
Posted by
OP
1495 posts
We have both Alexa and Ring. Ring gives me a feeling of security both when home and away! You make me want to be more techie, Yarramar!
Posted by
36 posts
I think the "fake TV" light that Stan mentioned is a nice idea. They're cheap, and some have a timer so it's only on during typical TV viewing times.
I used one when we were selling a house. The home was going to be vacant for weeks before being sold, so we set up one of those fake TV lights in the living room. It looked pretty good from the outside at night...the flickering light pattern really did look like someone was home watching TV!
When I'm up at 8 a.m. in Barcelona, for instance, it will be 2 a.m. at
home. I'll be turning it on then for three minutes to make it look
like someone is home and just got up to use the bathroom.
I have a few of those smart lights too, and I've done that once or twice just for fun. But generally I don't have to think about it because I set up an automation in Apple Home so that for example the lights come on one hour before sunset, so that the time it comes on floats to match the changing length of a day.