Zev won't use the bathroom. This is a problem for Zev, but it's a problem for me, too. Because when your four-year-old son avoids the downstairs bathroom at all costs, you're going to end up footing the bill... eventually.

Here's the thing: our downstairs bathroom is right off a stairwell that leads to the basement. And Zev, bless him, is afraid of that dark, spooky basement. So, although it's obvious he needs to go — dancing feet, legs crossed, and the clearest sign of all, protesting adamantly that he DOES NOT HAVE TO GO! — he waits, and waits, and waits. 

So, I thought, coder-engineer brain that I am: let's fix this! With technology! Lutron makes these amazing Occupancy Sensing switches that can turn the lights on automatically as soon as the sensor notices Zev's little, pee-filled body running toward the bathroom... Presto! No more scary, dark basement stairwell, no more potty accidents. 

Plus, the Lutron Motion Sensor is super easy to install (*check local building requirements before doing any DIY electrical work), works with any bulb type, and can actually save me money by automatically turning the lights off when the space is vacant. 

Let's put one in:

(Note: as you can see, the video shows me installing the switch in a nice, well-lit portion of our home, because I wanted you to be able to see what's happening. The stairwell is just too dark to shoot video in while the power's off). 

So, yeah, that was pretty easy. I'm not gonna lie though; if you don't know anything about electrical work, or your switches are more complicated (like three way switches), you may want to leave this one to a pro. 

Now the stairwell light switches on as soon as Zev (or, anyone) walks by, so he can get on with his business in peace.

And speaking of getting on with things, I bet you want to hear about that GIVEAWAY! Here's the scoop:

We're giving away a $500 Home Depot Gift card!

You can use that to buy all the fancy light-sensing, scary-stairwell dispelling switches you want! 

Here's how to enter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What are you going to do with your big prize? Let me know in the comments! Good luck!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of LUTRON. The opinions and text are all mine.