It’s officially October, which means National Home Security Month is underway. This month-long recognition of the importance of home security systems was created to provide homeowners with resources and tools that will help them protect their homes and loved ones. We’re thrilled to celebrate by sharing statistics, tips, and insights into security system innovations that are making us all safer.
Key Home Security Stats
- According to the FBI, a burglary happens every 30 seconds in the United States.
- Renters are targeted by burglars more often than homeowners, which means finding a budget-friendly DIY home security system should be a top priority for renters.
- The most common time for a burglary is during the day and during the summer months, when many people are not at home.
- Of the 127.59 million households in the United States, less than 30%have home security systems installed, leaving the majority of homes vulnerable.
-
75% of homes will be broken into in the next 20 years, regardless of neighborhood.
- Home security systems can deter burglars and prevent crime. A study by the University of North Carolina in Charlotte revealed that the majority of burglars (60%) look for security systems before attempting a break-in and will move on to another house if they discover an alarm system at their original target.
Five Home Security Tips
-
Conduct a home security audit: Whether you’re moving into a new home or you’ve been settled in for a while, it’s important to give your home a regular “check-up” in which you do a thorough assessment of all possible entry points. Upon moving in, change the locks on your front door, as it’s common for dozens of people to have had access to your new home’s keys during the selling process. If you have an older home, you will want to make sure that the locks on your doors and windows are updated. Once you identify your home’s vulnerabilities, you can better protect it.
-
Find the right home security system for you: The home security market is booming, with new products being released regularly. Every home is different, which means everyone’s security needs are different. Do your research and look for non-invasive systems that offer the most value while providing accurate alerts. Avoid systems that have historically been targets of hackers, those that have blind spots, and those that raise frequent false alarms.
-
Seek out professional monitoring: Professional monitoring is a service that can be added on to many home security systems to verify emergencies when an alarm is triggered. Many security alarm triggers are false, meaning law enforcement can be slow to respond. With professional monitoring, trusted agents contact homeowners to determine if a trigger was false. If an emergency is confirmed, these professionals gather details and dispatch law enforcement to the home. This saves limited police resources, helping them arrive with urgency and an understanding of what’s happening. Verified alarms lead to more burglars being caught in the act, and people getting the help they need faster.
-
Landscape your way to a safer home: Burglars can easily hide in overgrown areas around your home. Make sure to keep bushes and trees trimmed. In addition, install motion-activated lights outdoors, strategically placed in areas burglars would have to pass by when hiding or moving around the property.
-
Create “leaving the home” safety plan: Make it a habit to lock your windows and doors and enable your alarm system before leaving your house, especially if you are going to be away for long periods of time. Don’t leave spare keys outside your front door, as burglars will know where to find it. If leaving for weeks or months, enlist a neighbor or family member to take your mail and packages in and remove snow from your sidewalk so it’s not obvious that you’re away.
Home Security Innovations
In recent years, the smart home device market has exploded, with technological advancements leading to inventive home security solutions. Home security systems used to be expensive to install and maintain, often requiring bulky equipment. Today, camera-free DIY home security systems are disrupting the market, offering budget-friendly options that can be self-installed in a matter of minutes.
The latest, truly revolutionary innovation in home security is a WiFi-Sensing system that uses existing WiFi waves in a home to detect abnormal movement. It offers accurate protection while maintaining privacy. Sensitivity levels can be adjusted to adapt to each homeowner’s lifestyle and eliminate false alarms. As an IoT (Internet of Things) device, it can be controlled from anywhere via mobile app, so whether you’re at work or on vacation, you can monitor the activity within your home.
National Home Security Month reminds us all how far home security has come and how important it is to protect what is most precious to us. Celebrate with us this month by securing your home and sharing these tips with those you love.
