Is Your Home Sufficiently Secure?

According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Report, "From 1997 to 2006 the [violent crime] rate fell 22.5%...the [property crime] rate fell 22.7%." This is, of course, good news for every American. The idea that the country as a whole is a safer place to live than it was 10 years ago is certainly a comfort, but does this mean that home security is less of an issue than it was a decade ago? According to some, a lower crime rate is a sign that we need BETTER security!

Do More Secure Homes Reduce Crime?
Manufacturers and sellers of home security equipment are quick to point out that a drop in the crime rate may be linked to a rise in the amount of properties fitted with home security systems. In their point of view, safer homes lead to a safer environment, not the other way around. They're not the only ones to see it this way; according to Simon Hakim of Temple University, a home without a security system is 2 to 3 times more likely to be burglarized.

What Makes a Secure Home?
Of course, no home security measure is a universal solution to crime. In some situations, a simple outdoor lighting upgrade can do wonders to prevent break-ins; in other areas, a neighborhood watch program is the best way to keep properties up and down your block safer. Some homeowners find that a combination of motion lights, a good relationship with the neighbors, and a friendly (but watchful) dog give them the same peace of mind you can get from a more expensive (and less cuddly) monitored alarm system. This doesn't mean, however, that monitored alarms aren't a good idea in some situations!

Home Security System Benefits You Might Not Know About
When you install an alarm system that is linked to a monitoring service, your home has a direct link to not just the police, but medical assistance and fire fighters, too. This type of system doesn't stop working when you are away, either. While you are on vacation or even away at work, if the alarm is set off, emergency personnel can be alerted immediately.

If You Have a System, Use It!
How much home security a particular homeowner chooses to install remains a matter of personal preference. However, many people who already have a home monitoring system in place (and pay a monthly fee to keep it active) are simply not using it! If this describes you, here's something to consider: according to the Home Security Store's website, "a study in Connecticut showed that in 41% of alarmed homes that were burglarized, the security system was not turned on."

Do You Need a Home Security System?
Certainly, there are many homeowners out there who have never had a home security system, probably never will, and will never be victims of a burglary. On the other hand, there are also homes with security systems that end up being broken into anyway (even when the system is turned on). So, is it in your best interest to install one of these systems? While some might say "no" and be correct in many situations, and despite the statistical drops in crime rates over the last decade, the answer for many homeowners and law enforcement personnel (according to the International Association of Chiefs of Police 85% of police believe that these home monitoring alarm systems deter burglaries) is still "yes."