From the why-didn’t-I-think-of-this-stupid-idea category comes FakeTV.
FakeTV is just what it sounds like. It’s a glowing device that simulates someone watching TV, to deter burglars.
“My wife and I were going out for the evening, and I decided to leave the TV on so that it looked like somebody was still at home,” said inventor Blaine Readler. “I commented that it was a shame to waste all that electricity, when the burglars couldn’t even see the picture itself, just the reflection off the wall.”
So Readler came up with this unit, which uses a built-in computer to produce varying lights — to look like a real TV. Just plug the unit in, set the timer, and the unit will start flickering.
Apparently many would-be thieves don’t hit people watching “Dancing with the Stars.” Of course, there’s the whole breed of criminal that thrives on breaking into people’s homes while they are home. Maybe they will think FakeTV is actually E.T.
FakeTV will run you a real $49.