Is a Home Security System Worth It?

If you’re wondering whether a home security system is right for your home, it can be hard to know where to begin. What makes a home security system worth it? In addition to smart-home integrations and better peace of mind, a home security system is best at keeping your family safe.

Reduce Your Risk

Installing a visible home security system may reduce your risk of becoming a burglary victim, protecting your property from theft and damages. Let’s explore some home security statistics below

According to the FBI’s latest published burglary data

• There were an estimated 1,401,840 burglaries in 2017.
• Burglaries accounted for 18.2 percent of the estimated number of property crimes. 
• By subcategory, 57.5 percent of burglaries involved forcible entry, 36.2 percent were unlawful entries, and 6.3 percent were attempted forcible entry. 
• Victims of burglary offenses suffered an estimated $3.4 billion in property losses in 2017. 
• The average dollar loss per burglary offense was $2,416. 
• Burglaries of residential properties accounted for 67.2 percent of all burglary offenses. 

Many assume that burglaries take place at night, but they most commonly occur from 10 AM – 3 PM. Summer months are prime months for burglary due to travel plans. A recent study published by researcher Joseph Kuhns from the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at UNC Charlotte provides insights on habits and motivations of burglars.

Findings included:

• When selecting a target, most burglars said they considered the close proximity of other people – including traffic, people in the house or business, and police officers; the lack of escape routes; and signs of increased security – including alarm signs, alarms, dogs inside, and outdoor cameras or other surveillance equipment.
• Approximately 83 percent said they would try to determine if an alarm was present before attempting a burglary, and 60 percent said they would seek an alternative target if there was an alarm on-site. This was particularly true among the subset of burglars who were more likely to spend time deliberately and carefully planning a burglary.
• Among those who discovered the presence of an alarm while attempting a burglary, half reported they would discontinue the attempt, while another 31 percent said they would sometimes retreat. Only 13 percent said they would always continue with the burglary attempt.
• Most burglars reported entering open windows or doors or forcing windows or doors open. About one in eight burglars reported picking locks or using a key that they had previously acquired to gain entry.
• About 12 percent indicated that they typically planned the burglary in advance, 41 percent suggested it was most often a “spur of the moment” event, and the other 37 percent reported that it varied.

If you read the above statistics and don’t feel alarmed by living without a security system, you’re not alone. According to the National Council for Home Safety and Security, only 17 percent of houses in the U.S. have a security system installed.

Keep Your Family Safe