Common Misconceptions about Home Security that Often Lead to a Sense of False Security
According to statistics, break-ins occur in the US once every 15 seconds. The problem is, most of us tend to believe a few things simply because we hear them from a friend or family member, and we are too lazy to do some research. While living with misconceptions might not seem to be a big deal, it is entirely different when it comes to the safety and security of your house and your family. To help protect your safety and uphold your security, here are some of the most common home security misconceptions that often result in a sense of false security:
Burglars tend to break-in only at night
One of the most common misconceptions homeowners have is that break-ins happen only at night. However, while burglars tend to avoid breaking into houses when someone's inside, it does happen in some cases. There are even cases where homeowners come face-to-face with burglars, thus resulting to burglar-related violence. According to a report by the Las Vegas Police Department, most break-ins happen during the day where all of the family members are out for work or school. So in order to prevent break-ins during the day, it would be best to secure your house as you would during nighttime.
Having a pet is enough protection
Sure, having a dog, especially a big one, around your house does add up an extra layer of protection for you and your family. Since dogs can make noise once an intruder enters your house, it could deter some intruders from breaking in. The problem, however, is that they can be easily swayed by a tasty treat. Also, big dogs might look a lot more intimidating but are actually less likely to bark at strangers. At the worst case scenario, your big guard dog could be at risk of being assaulted or injured during a break-in. Once this happens, you will have to spend more money to pay for your dog's recovery, which might be more expensive than what has been stolen from you. And regardless of how smart your dog is, he has no way of calling the police once a break-in happens.
A safe neighborhood can offer you the best protection
You might think that a safe neighborhood is an excellent burglar deterrent, but it's actually the other way around. In fact, neigborhoods that feel they are safe and secured are more likely to leave their doors unlocked, which in turn could make them easy targets for thieves. According to the Better Business Bureaue, homes with no active alarm systems are up to 3 times more likely to get burglarized. Hence, it's better to look for some affordable solutions to help your keep belongings and your family safe and secure. Always keep in mind that a safe neighborhood is only safe until a break-in occurs.
Leaving the lights on will make the thieves believe someone's home
Leaving the lights on might seem to be a good idea for you, especially if you are out for a long trip. However, leaving it constantly on is actually an indication that screams "we're not home" for burglars. If possible, turn the lights on and off on a random schedule. Also, the best way you can do so is to install electronic timers that automatically turns your lights on and off throughout the day, thus tricking the burglars into thinking that you are actually home.
Home security systems are expensive and require ridiculous contracts
While there are expensive home security systems out there, you can actually find a lot of systems that meet your budget. However, you don't have to settle with cheap home security systems while doing so. A home security system could cost you around $99 to $1,200 including installation, with average at around $650 according to a report by Home Advisor. You will also have to pay for monthly operating costs which is usually around $30 or just one dollar a day. And then there's the contract, which is present in most home security monitoring. Just make sure you read through the contract yourself and check if there are any clauses which you're not comfortable with. Of course, it's really worth it if you put your home and your family's safety and security in the equation.
You invested lots of time and money into your house, hence you should make sure to keep it secure from break-ins as much as possible. By knowing the most common misconceptions about home security systems, you won't have to deal with a sense of false security anymore.
