[DebbieP]

I think a timer light switch would be the best idea, and/or leaving the radio on - radios don't use much energy and you could always get a wind up one! In my student houses I've been burgled twice, both times just after Christmas. Thats the most important time to make the house secure, just things like double locking the door (coat hanger through the letter box is how the police reckon they got in one time - the other they just kicked in the back door! It was a pretty shoddy door though!) can make a whole lot of difference. Also putting a house alarm up is meant to work, it doesn't need to be an actual working alarm, but it the burglers are going from house to house (which they often do) it maybe enough to put them off.