How (and Why) Security Systems Provide Complete Protection for Your Home

While it’s comforting to believe that the world is continually getting safer, unfortunately, the numbers don’t always show that to be the case.

For instance, between 2017 and 2018, the Crime Safety Index actually increased, meaning that crime went up by about 2%.

While all types of crime remain a significant risk, the home is especially vulnerable: 88% of all burglaries are residential — as opposed to theft from commercial or institutional buildings — and 77% of all crimes are property crimes.

Statistics like this make it clear that, in Hamilton, residential security systems are more than just a luxury—they’re a necessity for those who want to ensure that their home remains safe.

Common Ways Burglars Enter Your Home

When it comes to the entry points that burglars can use to access your home, some will be obvious and familiar to most homeowners, while some might come as a surprise.

Not surprisingly, the front door is the access point most often used by burglars; in more than a third of all home burglaries, the thieves accessed the home through the front door.

After the front door, the next most popular point of entry is the back door. About 22% of burglars break into a home through the back door, which should come as no surprise—neglecting to lock or protect your back door is an obvious source of potential risk.

But many homeowners will be surprised to learn that first-floor windows are actually more vulnerable than back doors: 23% of burglars gain entry through windows that are accessible from the ground floor.

In addition to those three main entry points, other points of potential vulnerability include garage doors, through which 9% of burglars gain entry. As well, other unlocked entry points like side doors and even second-floor entry points like windows.

Security Systems and Homeowner Satisfaction

In addition to providing valuable security to your home, your family, and your possessions, security systems serve another purpose: to deter potential burglars from trying in the first place.

Homes that don’t have security systems are up to 300% more likely to be broken into, meaning the mere presence of your system helps protect your home, even before you’ve activated it.

It should come as no surprise that most homeowners who decide to install a home security system are happy with their decision; 95% of homeowners are satisfied with their security systems, despite the fact that 54% admit to being unsure of how to use them.

Fortunately, residential automation and “smart” home systems are expected to increase by 64% over the next five years, and as technology continues to improve, security systems will continue to become both more effective and easier to use.

In addition to keeping your home secure, installing a security system can have other benefits, including the potential to save you money.

Many insurance agencies offer discounts on insurance when you have a home security system installed—and the discounts aren’t just limited to home insurance. Some agencies can offer discounts of up to 20% on car insurance for those who have a home security system installed.

How Security Systems Keep Your Home Safe

A good security system is one that’s multifaceted and protects your home by combining multiple features that cover just about every possible eventuality.

Interactive systems protect your home when you need it most by providing “crash and smash” technology that is triggered as soon as damage is done to your home. And thanks to video monitoring and mobile apps that allow you to monitor your home even when you’re not there, you’ll get complete, 24/7 awareness of your home.

Video monitoring can also record clips of your home that are stored in a searchable library and gives you the ability to activate and deactivate the recording as needed.

Smart locks are another key aspect of a security system that allows you to create, edit or delete unique lock codes for various users and limit their access by setting specific dates and times for when their entry will be allowed.

Automation further keeps your home running safely and efficiently by integrating with your major appliances and devices, transforming your home into an intelligent ecosystem. These systems are highly personalizable, allowing the owner to have precise control over every aspect of their home.

This kind of control means that not only will your home be safe, but it will also be energy efficient. Security systems can be integrated with smart thermostats and other aspects of your home, such as the lights, doors, and windows, to help ensure that your home uses energy in the most effective and efficient way possible.

Security Systems Protect Your Home

Installing a security system makes your home safer, provides you with more autonomy and control over what goes on inside the home, and helps it run more efficiently and cost-effectively.

To learn more about how security systems protect your home, call the Canadian Security Professionals at 1-877-229-7252 or contact us here.