There’s a lot of confusion and misconceptions about home security systems out there. Some people will say crime is rising; others will say it’s lowering. Some people will say certain methods of security are best; others will disagree and promote their own methods. It can be confusing at the best of times!
It’s good to go back to the actual data – the facts and figures – so you have a real sense of the dangers out there and how they can be prevented. These are the real facts about home security.
- In 2015, there were 1,154,315 reported property crime violations in Canada. That includes nearly 160,000 cases of breaking and entering and nearly 500,000 cases of theft. That works out to about 1 in 30 people being the victim of some sort of property crime, from grand theft to vandalism.
- Those numbers are down from where they were just a decade ago – breaking and entering used to be twice as common in the early ‘90s. This is credited, at least in part, to increasing amounts of home security – more affordable and more prevalent home security cameras and burglar alarms have deterred some thieves entirely.
- The average loss in a burglary was $2,251. The average insurance claim is higher — $7,243. Jewelry, laptop computers, cell phones – all are easy to carry, and are worth quite a bit of money.
- Burglars are most likely to strike on a Friday: 25% more frequent than on Sunday, the lowest day of the week. Thursdays were the second most frequent – burglars like to strike just before the weekend hits, because people tend to go on trips over the weekend.
- Similarly, August, July and September are the three most common months for burglaries, as families go on summer holidays.
- Most burglaries take place between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM – burglars attack when you’re at work or at school, not when you’re at home, asleep in your bed. The stereotype is of a burglar sneaking in under cover of darkness, and that’s just very rarely the case.
- It’s not all holiday robbery, however. In roughly one-third of burglaries, a household member is present – simply being home does not guarantee your safety or the safety of your valuables.
- 30% of burglars gain entry through an unlocked door or window – no actual breaking required.
- 34% of burglars simply walk through the front door, either going through an unlocked door, picking a lock or breaking it down.
- Only 6% of burglaries end in arrests. Without security footage, it’s often impossible to discover who broke into your home. Without a monitored alarm system, police often arrive too late to catch them in the act.
- Most criminals can burglarize a home in less than 10 minutes. They don’t linger – they break in, go to where valuables are most likely kept, and get out. Any delay in a response is probably too long.
- Homes without a security system were 300% more likely to be targeted than homes with visible cameras or signage. Burglars tend to check places out before attempting to break and enter, and visible signs of security often make them think twice.
- 60% of attempted burglaries on homes with alarm systems are entirely unsuccessful, with thieves leaving without gaining entrance or stealing any property.
- 85% of police officials believe that monitored alarm systems help to deter burglary attempts.
A home security system can help protect you from break-ins and burglaries. The experts at Engineered Alarm Solutions can design the best security system for your needs and budget. Contact us today at (416) 697-7329!
