Long-term plug-in security timer for lights etc.?

cashferret

My Mum has just had to go into a nursing home for two months and her house is standing empty. I live hundreds of miles away so can't drop in. I hope to arrange for neighbours to keep an eye out but I'd like to install some plug-in timers to switch lamps & radios on & off at programmed times so that the place looks occupied.

I've had a look on the net to see what's available but they seem at most to be seven-day ones.

Does anyone know about timers that just go on indefinitely?

It's not exactly a moneysaving question although I suppose it will save my Mum money if she is not burgled!

[Deleted User]

Hi,

with a 24 hour timer it would be set to come on at same time/s each day, with a 7 day timer you could set it to come on at varying times on different days, to make things look a bit irregular.

cashferret

Oh! I'd completely misunderstood how these worked - I thought they just stopped after seven days. Doh!

Thanks, frugalmacdugal!

MsAnderson

I had a friend in a similar spot. She contacted a local cat and dog pet sitter and they popped into the house a few times a week to check that post had been put thru the door, nothing left on the front step, etc.

They didn't have a pet but the sitter was insurance and all checked out and didn't mind. The sitter only charged a few £s a week, but the peace of mind was worth it.

Mankysteve

Make her house insurance will cover her for the duration of eh stay if it goes over 30days most insurance places won't cover. Also anything that not replaceable you take with and keep your self till she back home or put into to secured storage.

cashferret

MsAnderson wrote: »

I had a friend in a similar spot. She contacted a local cat and dog pet sitter and they popped into the house a few times a week to check that post had been put thru the door, nothing left on the front step, etc.

They didn't have a pet but the sitter was insurance and all checked out and didn't mind. The sitter only charged a few £s a week, but the peace of mind was worth it.

Thanks! That's a brilliant idea. I'll definitely look into that.

cashferret

Thanks, Mankysteve - I hadn't thought about that. I wonder what else I haven't thought of!

I've seen that Argos sell safes and I could buy one and get one installed (I'm going on a flying visit so can at least get some stuff like that done). I'm taking all the paperwork away with me anyway to deal with long-term.

This really is a lovely discussion board, everyone is so helpful!