Do Burglars Avoid Homes With Security Systems?

With burglary rates in Ireland showing a concerning increase of 20% in Q1 of 2023 compared to Q1 last year, it’s completely understandable that you’re feeling concerned about the safety of your home. This is especially a common concern when you’re planning to be away.

Naturally, you’re likely considering installing a home security system to secure your home’s access points, or you’re wondering just how secure your systems already are.

While many home security systems on the market will notify you when a burglary happens, you need to take a proactive rather than reactive approach to achieve peace of mind in the true sense.

So, here’s the real question: do home security systems deter crime? And further, what steps should be taken to ensure the security of your home, belongings, and inhabitants.

You need to focus on deterrence instead of solely relying on detection and response measures. We’ll explain more below.

In this article, we’re answering the question, “Do security systems deter crime?” We’ll also share some interesting insight into what ex-burglars have to say on this topic, so read on.

How Home Security Systems Protect Your Home

Monitoring systems are in place to let you, folks passing by, and the rest of the neighborhood know when some intruder is trying to sneak in. They’re set up with wired or wireless security cameras, motion detectors, and sensors all around the home, especially near the doors and other entry points.

When you turn the alarm on, any bit of movement or intrusion sets it off, causing it to make a loud warning sound.

Now, depending on the home security system you’ve opted for, it might shoot a message to your phone or your trusty security company and notify them about the break-in attempt.

So, these monitoring systems are great at guarding your home and really ramping up its safety. They’re quick to give you a heads-up if some dodgy thief is trying to sneak in.

Plus, some of the less discussed home security benefits include the following:

• Increased property value
• Prevention of property damage, fire, and other emergencies
• Reduced home insurance premiums
• Remote monitoring

But the question to ponder is, do alarm systems deter burglars and actually make them think twice before having a go at your place?

Do Home Security Systems Deter Crime

It’s a bit tricky to put a number on something that didn’t happen—like break-ins that might have occurred but didn’t, thanks to home security systems. The best approach is to ask the burglars who actually do the break-ins to figure out whether home security systems really deter crime.

A thorough study by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte took this route. They chatted with over 400 folks who got caught for burglary.

60% of these burglars said they’d scope out the situation for home security systems before trying to nab anything. If they spotted a home security system (like a wireless security camera, for example), most of them would give that house a miss and go hunting for an easier target.

Think of it this way: A burglar is an opportunist as a person. They are out looking for the easiest target—where the homeowner doesn’t have any sort of security.

If they see a home security system, say a visible security camera or any sign of an alarm system, etc., they’ll think, “Hold on, these people think about their security,” and move on to an easier target with no visible security cameras and home security system installed.

To the untrained eye, burglaries appear to happen at random, leaving you with a large hole in your bank account.

But, as any skilled burglar will tell you, there’s no such thing as random when it comes to professional burglary. They carefully choose targets where they have to put in the least effort and leave little to no trail behind.

And having a home security system installed, including security cameras, alarms, sensors, etc., means that they’d think twice before considering your home an easy target and deter them from breaking in.

Taking Steps to Make Your Home Safe From Crime

Along with home security systems, here are a few steps to deter burglars from choosing your home as a target:

Securing your doors and windows is your main line of defense against unwelcome visitors at home. Even when you’re at home, keep them locked down. Before heading out, double-check that your ground-level doors and windows are properly secured.

Use door and window sensors to keep track of any sneaky entries, and smart locks can make locking up really easy. Upgrade your door locks by adding deadbolts and reinforcing the frames and hinges.

Stash your valuables out of sight to deter potential burglars. Outdoor lights, especially the ones with motion sensors, can deter burglars by getting rid of hiding spots in the dark. Think about throwing in some outdoor security cameras for extra protection.

And don’t forget about the garage—lock up doors and windows, and keep your opener stored away.

Check out these common home security mistakes (infographics) to see if you are committing any. If you are, avoid them so your home doesn’t become a prime target for burglars. 

Wrapping Up: Do Alarm Systems Deter Burglars?

Being burgled is undoubtedly one of the worst things that can happen to a homeowner. But the right home security systems can deter it from happening in the first place.

Don’t leave your home’s safety to chance—deter potential intruders with a cutting-edge security solution. Reach out to Network Security to get a quote today.