According to the US Department of Justice, a burglary takes place every 30 seconds in the US.
Summer is the most popular month for break-ins because windows and doors are left open more frequently. It’s also vacation season, leaving houses empty and vulnerable.
Is it safe to leave lights on for a week or so while you’re away? Depending on the bulb, leaving lights on carries a risk of fire, and ultimately is not the best way to prevent a home invasion.
Keep reading to learn what the most effective burglar deterrents are for when you’re going on vacation.
Table of Contents
Is it OK to Leave a Light On For a Week?
Modern lights are safe to leave on for a week, though it isn’t advisable. If you forgot to turn them off, LED bulbs are unlikely to overheat, trip electrics, or start a fire.
On the other hand, incandescent, halogen, or fluorescent lights should never be left on for a week. These overheat and can cause a fire if left on for excessive periods.
If you want to leave the lights on for a week, it’s safer to install a security timer on a lamp. When configured properly, the lamp will turn on at pre-set times, like when the sun sets, to make it look like someone is home.
Home automation systems also do this. Creating automations for vacation will periodically turn lights on and off at specific times during the evening to simulate the presence of a person in the home.
Smart home assistants, like Alexa and Google Voice Assistant, perform these kinds of tasks.
Should You Leave Lights On While On Vacation?
It’s not a good idea to leave lights on while on vacation. In addition to potential fire risks, leaving lights on for 1-2 weeks will waste energy and increase electricity bills significantly.
Instead of leaving lights on, try these home security tips to prevent home intruders while on vacation:
- Install motion-detector lights
- Use interior lamp timers
- Fit home security cameras
- Invest in a home automation system with a vacation mode
The best way to make the home safer is to install security cameras. The most effective places to position cameras are at the front door, back door, garage, and driveway.
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Leaving the lights on for a week while you’re away from the house doesn’t protect it. Security cameras, on the other hand, let you keep an eye on things while you’re away and may deter burglars.
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Does Leaving Lights on Deter Burglars
Leaving lights on for a week is not an effective burglar deterrent. When the same light is on every day and night for a week, the house draws attention and could actually make the house a target.
Security cameras are better burglar deterrents simply because no burglar wants their face recorded.
To protect your property while on vacation, be careful who you tell. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 65% of burglars know their victims, with over half being relatives or well-known acquaintances. Don’t post on social media that you’re vacationing, and only tell people you trust.
How Much Does It Cost to Leave a Light On for a Week?
Curious about how much it costs to leave lights on for a week? Check out the table below to discover the average cost per light bulb.
| Type of Bulb | Cost Per 1,000 Hours |
| Incandescent | $6 |
| Halogen | $5 |
| Fluorescent | $1.70 |
| LEDs | $1 or less |
Any type of light, when left on for a week, shouldn’t cost more than a few dollars. LEDs are the only light safe to leave on for extended periods, and also the cheapest.
Leaving security cameras on 24/7 uses around 4-5 watts of electricity per hour, compared to 6-22 watts per hour used by lights. This means that security cameras cost significantly less to run than lights.
Can Leaving a Light On for a Week Cause a Fire?
Leaving most types of light on for a week risks causing a fire as a result of overheating. However, modern lights are much safer. Compare the risks of fire below.
| Type of Bulb | Are They Safe to Leave On for a Week? | Can They Cause Fires If Left On 24/7? |
| Incandescent | No | Yes |
| Halogen | No | Yes |
| Fluorescent | No | No(unless fitted incorrectly) |
| LEDs | Yes | No(unless fitted incorrectly) |
Is it Safe to Have Outside Lights On at Night?
Outside lights are designed for night time use, so they are perfectly safe to use at night. However, leaving outdoor lights on all night contributes to light pollution and an unnecessarily high electricity bill.
Install motion sensor lights on the front porch, back door, garage, or driveway for a more useful night time lighting solution that saves money, energy, and avoids disrupting local wildlife (and sleepy neighbors).
Don’t want lights on your property? Do night vision instead!
Outdoor lighting isn’t ideal for everyone, and might not even be possible depending on the type of home you live in.
Turns out, night time surveillance doesn’t rely entirely on outdoor lighting thanks to infrared night vision.
AlfredCam and AlfredCam Plus introduce true infrared night vision to AlfredCamera DIY security systems.
While phones, tablets, and webcams all make fabulous security cameras thanks to Alfred, they do not offer native infrared support, so can’t produce an image without some form of light.
Add an AlfredCam device to your setup to get flawless night time surveillance even without a visible light source, so you can keep an eye on your house day and night.
Conclusion
Older light bulbs are dangerous and overheat when left on for long periods, meaning a significant risk of fire. Only leave motion detector lights or lamps fitted with a timer switched on during vacations.
LEDs are the safest, most energy efficient lights, so consider switching all lighting in your home to LED. At the very least, you’ll notice the difference in your bills.
If you’re heading on vacation, security cameras are much more valuable for home security than leaving lights on for a week. It’s also worth withholding bragging rights until after you’ve returned. Bon voyage!
Recommended reading: What to Do If Someone is in Your House When Home Alone