Home security is pretty simple in principle. You make your home more secure by changing the way you do things, installing security equipment, and keeping an eye on the place. Pretty easy, right? And yet, people fail at keeping their homes as secure as possible because they don’t know as much as they think they do.
Homeowners can fall victim to common home security myths. When they do, their homes are not as safe as they otherwise could be. Be honest with yourself. How much do you really know about home security? Do you believe the five home security myths discussed below?
For the record, each of the myths is part of a list published in a 2023 post by Vivint Smart Home. Vivint interviewed 1,000 homeowners to learn their thoughts on home security. The results of the survey show exactly which home security myths are believed most often.
Myth #1: Burglars Always Break In
Approximately 43% of the respondents admitted to believing that burglars always break in through a window or door. Although windows and doors are obvious entry points, Vivint explains that breaking it is not always necessary. The fact is that people leave their windows and doors unlocked. That is why burglars roam through neighborhoods testing door handles.
Myth #2: Home Invasions Are Rare
We like to think that home invasions are rare because we do not hear about them as often as burglaries. But unfortunately, they are not as rare as most people think. Vivint suggests that a home invasion occurs in this country every 26 seconds. Do the math and you’ll discover that this is more than 20,000 annually.
Far more burglaries occur every year, but 20,000 is still not a number to ignore. The fact remains that neighborhoods across the country are susceptible to home invasion crimes.
Myth #3: Dogs Are Always an Effective Deterrent
Roughly 24% of the respondents reported believing that dogs are always an effective deterrent to both burglars and home invaders. Again, not true. It really boils down to how a criminal feels about dogs.
When dogs are deterrent, it’s more about the noise they make than the direct threat they pose. But there are burglars and home invaders who have no compunction about harming dogs that get in the way. Dogs deter in some cases, but not in all cases.
Myth #4: Home Invasions Are Always Planned in Advance
The idea that home invasions are always planned in advance is believed by 21% of the survey respondents. Advanced planning is often the case, but it is not always the case. There are plenty of home invasions that occur as crimes of opportunity. Does that make them any less serious? No.
Myth #5: Home Invaders Always Use Force to Gain Entry
The fifth and final myth on our list is that home invaders always gain entry through the use of force. This one is a little sketchy due to the differences in state laws. In some states, forcible entry is a prerequisite to home invasion. In other states, it is not.
For the purposes of this post, it’s enough to know that home invaders can walk through unlocked doors just as easily as breaking the doors down. They do not necessarily have to use force to get inside. It is what they do after the fact that really matters.
If your home is not as safe as it could be because you believe any of the myths discussed in this post, it’s time to rethink home security. Get the facts so that you can make better decisions for yourself and your family.