Do you own a home? If so, we would place a bet that at some point you have worried about home security. In fact, if you think about whether or not your home is secure at least once a month, you’re not alone. According to a recent study of 10,000 homeowners, a full two-thirds worry about crime at least once a month. Almost half said they worried about home security and crime at least once a week. Sixteen percent said they think about it every day. Imagine the anxiety!
Interestingly, the report found that even with homeowners who experienced frequent home security panics, they still did not take the precautions necessary to protect their home. Would you believe that half of all people surveyed forget to check that their doors and windows are locked before bed? Certainly some of us live in secure areas, but almost half of us? Unlikely. Even more, nearly a quarter of those surveyed stated they had accidentally left their garage door open at night at least once in the last 12 months.
What Happens With a Bump in the Night?
Here something go bang in the dead of night? What is the first thing you do? Forty-one percent of you said you grab an object and head towards the source of the noise. With the candlestick in the study? We hope not. A slightly higher percentage quietly sneaks out of bad to go investigate. Weaponless, we assume. In the minority, at thirty-three percent, are those who make a noise to scare the intruder away. The good news? Be elderly. According to the study, homeowners ages 61 and over barely ever wake up to a loud sound, with less than 2 events reported annually.
But we saved the best for last. Are you among the twenty-tree percent (nearly a quarter of you!) who send their partner to investigate? And would you believe that a fifth of all men surveyed said they sent their partner? Chivalry is truly dead!
What Are Homeowners Doing About It?
Fortunately, smart home security technology is taking over traditional security measures. As the age of smartphones and apps takes over, there are far more options for homeowners who want to keep an eye on, or control, their home from afar. You can tell how much more peace of mind a home security system provides. Surveyed homeowners who said they felt “very confident” about security were those who reported owning a home security system combined with a mobile smartphone app. They are having a great time on the beach in Cancun while everyone else worries if all is safe on the home front.
Still, you don’t have to invest in an expensive home security system just to get a little peace of mind. How about a thumbs up for the seven percent of homeowners who admit to displaying a “Beware of Dog” sign even though they don’t own a dog. Genius, we say! The most heartening part of the survey is that overall, a whopping 9,000 out of the 10,000 surveyed reported feeling that their neighborhood is safe.
Do you feel your neighborhood is safe? Whether you do or you don’t, a home security system never hurts!