Security is a sensitive subject. Especially in areas where the security of households is under constant threat. People want to know how best to protect their homes from intruders and burglars. Even in places with relatively fewer threats, prevention is still better than cure. In a situation where you are security conscious and you constantly stay abreast of the tricks used by burglars and intruders, you can be sure you’re in charge.
No one has ever argued the importance of securing their homes. We all want to live peacefully with our family and make sure our valuables are free from foreign hands. In order to help you stay more security conscious, here’s a list of the most common questions on safety and security.
1. How do burglars break into homes?
Surprisingly, not all burglaries happen forcefully. Studies have shown that only about 40% of break-ins are done with force, where about 32% of burglaries involve little to no force – the buglers only needed to walk through the “unlocked” door. However, this makes it easier for even passersby with no pre-planned intentions to break-in. Furthermore, unclosed windows are also closely related to unlocked doors, and both don’t need any force to.
2. Is burglary common in my neighborhood?
The burglary rate differs with respect to location. It is known that some places are at a higher risk of burglary than others. Statistics show that people living in New Zealand have higher chances of being burgled than any other country. Then follows Chile, Dominica, Denmark, and Cabo Verde. Within these countries also, different locations have different burglary rates. For instance, in Florida, people living in Orlando are twice at risk of burglary than in other parts of the country. Knowing the burglary rate of your community will help you in deciding what kind of security system you should install. Generally, places, where home security systems are commonly used, have lesser chances of being burgled than places with little or no use of a security system.
3. Are do-it-yourself security systems better?
With the rapid growth of do-it-yourself home security systems, you need to think twice before going for one. Do-it-yourself security systems may sound like a good idea, but they also come with their risks. It doesn’t offer professional monitoring and in case your alarm is triggered when you’re busy with other things, there’s a risk of you not calling the authorities for timely intervention. Because you are not an expert, there’s a risk of not installing the system properly. This can leave loopholes for smart burglars to break-in without even triggering your home security system. By statistics, burglars find it easy to disable a DIY security system, so you should think twice before opting for that.
4. Are home security systems effective?
In addition, studies have shown without doubts that home security systems are effective means of protection. In a survey done on burglars, they confessed that they almost didn’t attempt to attack homes with installed security systems. Some burglars said they usually look out for possible security systems in their target homes before advancing. And if they found any, they mostly would change their mind.
5. How much does a home security system cost?
Many people ask this mainly to know if they can afford one or not. In reality, security systems come in various types and their protection levels differ. This also makes the price vary based on the type of security system you want. If you are strictly on budget, don’t worry, there’s always an option for you. Some systems are a one-time-purchase type while others require a monthly payment.
Generally, if you’re going to need an unmonitored or self-monitored system, you only need to buy it and install it. However, if you need a professional or monitoring center operator to monitor your system, you will have to choose one of their monthly plans. This system, however, offers the best protection as you can be sure that your home is under constant watch. Whenever your security system detects a potential threat, the monitoring personnel will contact the authorities on your behalf.
6. I travel a lot. Can I get security systems that will protect my home while I’m unavailable?
Security systems have come a long way – thanks to technology. With your mobile phone, you can monitor everything that’s going on in your house if your security system supports mobile synchronization. Monitored security systems offer this option which in turn allows you to enjoy your trip with no worries
