Should You Be Worried About Home Break-Ins?

Most people would say that home is the safest place for anyone, but it can sometimes be dangerous if it is not secure. The scariest thing that could ever happen at home, according to many, is a break-in, as it can sometimes catch those who are at home off guard, and it would even surprise those who are just coming home. These break-ins could result in other crimes, such as theft and even murder, which is why homeowners are concerned more about break-ins that dealing with fires, pipe leakages, and other problems that could arise at home.

To prevent break-ins, most homeowners tend to buy new locks or padlock every now and then to keep their doors closed and prevent thieves from stealing contents inside a drawer or a cabinet. However, in today’s time, locks may not be enough to deter thieves from entering your home. The best way to prevent them from getting in is by installing a security system on the doors and windows of your home. These systems can do many things, but the most important features on them are they can close any openings in your home, and they can also sound an alarm is someone is attempting to break in forcefully.  

When are Home Break-Ins Most Common?

In spite of the common belief that break-ins occur at nighttime, reports suggest that the crime usually happens in the daytime. You would ask yourself, why would a burglar try to get inside a house in broad daylight, when everybody can see him or her? The answer to this question is quite simple: at nighttime, people are typically inside the house to eat dinner, to relax, and to sleep, but in the daytime, those people are at school or in the office. Because people are outside instead of inside their homes at daytime, thieves would take the opportunity to break in the household in the day, as they would have little to no chance of encountering the homeowners. If they do encounter a person inside the house, it would often be easier for them to subdue that person since he or she is alone.

Break-ins are even more rampant during the summer when people would go to beaches and other tourist destinations to unwind. In the said season, burglars are often free to take whatever they want inside the house, as long as there is no one there. Another season where break-ins have a significant increase in numbers is during the winter, particularly in the days of Christmas. According to the Choosi Home Fears Report, many Australians are more concerned about the security of their homes during Christmas, although most of them underestimated the risked of a break-in, largely due to the fact that since they are all at home in the said holiday, they would be more effective in stopping a single burglar.  Its also important to learn how to tell if a burglar is watching your house.

break-in using a crowbar

Break-ins are also quite common in the days leading to the New Year, as homeowners tend to have more items lying around their house because of the gifts they received on Christmas. The Choosi report further emphasized the concern for break-ins during the New Year since it states that 43% of Australians believe that the crime occurs during Christmas and New Year due to having new possessions that attract burglars. Furthermore, 33.4% of Australians also believe that posting about the gifts they receive on Christmas can put themselves at greater risks for break-ins.

The Cost of Home Security

As burglars are becoming more and more proficient at picking or breaking locks, it is starting to become harder for homeowners to prevent these wrongdoers from getting inside their home. As mentioned before, the best method for stopping these thieves from performing a break-in is by having a home security system, which is usually expensive for homeowners who have low income.

According to a study conducted by Choosi, Australians spent about $5.1 billion for the last five years just to protect their homes against burglars. The types of home protection that they spend on are physical barriers (like locks, keys, fences, and screens) and security devices (such as CCTV and alarms). Physical barriers are the most common items for home security not only in Australia but also in the world since they are cheaper and are less complicated to utilize. However, the notion that “cheap items are not the best” can apply for home security since these physical barriers are not enough to stop burglars.

The price for a standard home security system ranges from $35 to $100 per month, and the services included are 24/7 professional monitoring by the company that owns the system, cloud storage for security camera footage, and an option for you to control the security devices via an app. Judging by its price, it is relatively expensive given that you would need to pay for it every month, but the security that the system provides is what makes the monthly payment worth it. Most homeowners who have systems would even combine them with physical barriers for better home protection.

If a burglar tries to open a door or a window that is monitored by a camera and is installed with an alarm, the one who monitors your home will contact you first, then it will call the police for you as quickly as possible. This feature only works if you have subscribed to professional monitor service, but if not, it is up to you to contact the police and see who triggered the alarm.

Investing in a home security system is great if you want your home to remain secure and protected, so if you are planning to move to a new home, make sure that you also have a budget for home security. But, if you are already living in a cozy home, it’s time to save some money and purchase better security systems to keep you and your family safe from harm.