Three Surprising Home Security Risks You Probably Haven't Considered

9 February 2015
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If you've been questioning whether you need a home security system, you should know that doing so is one of the most important security decisions you'll ever make. While nearly all homeowners know that security is important, few understand just how important it is to be protected. This short look at the six most disturbing facts about home security is designed to help you understand the risks before you move forward with your decision.

Robberies Take Just 10 Minutes

When you think of a home invasion or break and enter, how long do you picture it taking? Is it:

  • 30 minutes
  • 45 Minutes
  • 1 hour
  • 2 hours

If you chose any of those options, you would be wrong! According to this infographic, the average home invasion takes only 10 minutes. To make matters worse, it also states that criminals are able to get into your home in only two minutes. That's less time than it would take you to wake up, realize what's happening, and dial 911 in some instances.

A security system provides an instant call for help when invasion occurs, ensuring that the police make their way to you right away.

Your Pets Are At Risk First

When you're away or asleep and a home invasion occurs, you may not even realize someone is trying to break in. But the family dog or cat probably will, and that puts them at risk. In this tragic case, a burglar shot a beloved family dog. Likely, he was trying to silence it to ensure a flawless escape.

Even if you're home at the time, your dog or cat is far more likely to go and greet the intruder. This is true whether your pet is more cautious or more outgoing.

If you can't find another reason to use a home security system, consider the fact that installing one may provide protection for your furry friends. Systems that make use of video cameras and 24-hour monitoring can be configured so that pets don't set them off, so there's no need to worry about false alarms.

Social Media is a Real Risk

How much do you reveal on Facebook? Do you give:

  • Your first and last name
  • Your mobile telephone number
  • Your home telephone number
  • Your city and state
  • Your neighborhood
  • Pictures of the outside of your home
  • Your address
  • The names of your family members, children, or pets
  • Statuses that highlight major purchases like a new television or car
  • Information about your work schedule or activities

If you can answer, "Yes, I do that," to any of these options, you are increasing the likelihood for a break-in to occur. According to this article, a whopping 40 percent of thieves used social media and online services to check homes out before they break in.

With the help of the internet, they can spend a few weeks tracking your schedule--that means knowing when you will and won't be home. They can also scope out the outside of your house from at least one angle. That's a frightening amount of information for a burglar to have.

As a Follow-Up: Reducing Your Social Media Risk

Installing a monitoring system will help with this, as will posting security system warning signs right on the window most visible to the street. But beating the burglars at their game also requires following good self-care practices online.

  • Add only friends to your social media account, and limit the amount of information you give out. Think critically about what you post before you post it--could it be used?
  • If you must add strangers, as you would if running a home business, limit the amount of information you give even further
  • Leave out addresses, home telephone numbers and photos of the area around your home at all times
  • Only post pictures of pets, kids, and family members if your profile is locked down to friends only

In the end, this can go a long way to protecting you and your loved ones.

The information may have been surprising to you--many people fail to consider these important points. The truth is that home security is a complex, constantly changing industry that must learn to adapt and grow with new burgling strategies. Nevertheless, one thing stands true: installing a monitoring system is one of the best ways to keep yourself safe, guaranteeing that you get the help you need quickly. For questions about how a system can help you, contact a specialist today.