5 Benefits of Home Security Systems

In 2018-2019 alone, an estimated 2.4% of Australian households (that's 230,000!) experienced a break-in and over 20% of Australian homes have been burgled at some point. Of the reported break ins, 75% will have property stolen and 50% will have property damaged.

Those are sobering statistics, and even more sobering is the fact that it takes 75% of burglars less than 5 minutes to enter a property.

So how secure is your home? And what can you do to make it more secure? A home security system may have many advantages that you wish to consider. 

Security alarm benefits are extensive. When it comes to deterring theft, many Australian's turn to home security systems including cameras, lights and motion sensors to protect their family homes - and with good reason, they're a major deterrent for criminals!

In 2015, an Australian study was conducted with criminals who had been convicted of breaking and entering offences, and 31% of those surveyed indicated that clearly visible home security was the biggest deterrent to breaking and entering a home, followed by sensor lights outside of the property (22%) and a barking dog (19%).

The advantages of a home security system are overwhelming and make the investment well worth it - especially when it comes to protecting the privacy and security of your family and loved ones.

Here are 5 main benefits of a home security system:

1. It gives you peace of mind

It’s a huge advantage that the presence of a home security system provides many families with a peace of mind knowing that their home is protected from a variety of unwanted scenarios. This peace of mind is invaluable for all homes, but particularly homes that have children, elderly or disabled persons or pets - knowing that you're able to remotely access vision of your home and that if required, your home security system and security alarms can dispatch appropriate authorities brings a sense of unparalleled security.

Home security systems are particularly beneficial for families that often leave family members home alone - kids playing in the backyard, or a dog roaming around the home are common scenarios. Similarly, spouses whose partners work long hours or work away may also benefit from the peace of mind of knowing that their home is being protected whilst their partner is away.

2. Protect your valuable possessions

We all collect items that have meaning to us - and whether it's a diamond tennis bracelet or a scrapbook of photographs from a grandparent, it can be absolutely devastating to have our treasured possessions stolen or damaged.

For most homeowners, the presence of a home security system is sufficient to deter thieves. However, in the unfortunate event that thieves do break in, a home security system will greatly increase the chances of the thieves being caught and may significantly reduce the extent of the damage or theft, as burglars often become distracted trying to conceal their identities from home security systems and may exit the victim's home much faster than if no security system is present.

Video footage also helps create a record of anything that has been stolen or damaged, and allows you to easily work with police and insurance companies to recover your possessions and recoup any damages.

3. Lower your insurance premiums

The importance of a home security system starts to become clear when you think about insurance. Whether you rent or own, home insurance and contents insurance is a necessity. The cost of this varies based on your location, coverage and living situation - but the costs of home and contents insurance can quickly add up.

Most insurance companies offer significant discounts to homeowners who have a home security system installed, as the additional security that reduces the likelihood of a breakin thereby reduces the likelihood that you'll need to draw on the insurance company to make a claim. The rate of discount offered will vary from provider to provider, so it's worth having a chat with your insurance provider to find out any discounts they may be able to offer you.

Insurance companies will also be able to give you a great snapshot of the area that you live in and the sort of claims that people make, and this can inform your home security system plans. 

For instance, if you live in a high crime area along a main road, you may choose to opt for home security cameras, motion sensors and lighting at the street-facing portion of your home, to make it clearly visible that your home is protected by security. If you live in a relatively safe area and are concerned with the curb appeal of your home, you might instead opt for more streamlined, hidden home security cameras that balance security with a clean aesthetic.

4. No need to worry about what happens to your home when you’re away on holiday

Taking a holiday or vacation is meant to be a relaxing experience - but it can be hard to de-stress if your mind is constantly wandering back to your home and wondering if your friends or neighbours are checking in on it as much as you've asked them to!

Think of the peace of mind you can have with a home alarm and security system... simply lock up and leave, with no need to worry about arranging a house-sitter, and the ability to switch on/off your lights remotely from wherever you are in the world so your house looks attended. Plus, you can check in on the video feed of your home at any time if you find yourself stressing about your home.

5. Save money on your energy costs

Home automation and home alarm systems are the way of the future and with more and more homeowners now opting to remotely control their home's temperature as part of their home security system, they're able to switch their heaters/air conditioners on and off according to peak usage times, on timers to make sure that no energy is wasted and to zone off specific areas of the home to be specific temperatures.

The ability to shut off heating and cooling when no one is home or when no one is in a room means that precious energy is saved, leaving you with more money in the bank.

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Want to start protecting your home with a home security system or home alarm system, but aren’t sure where to start? We have a range of options from outdoor cameras, lights and motion detectors for outside of the home to discreet nanny cams for keeping your family safe within the home. 

Our friendly, knowledgeable team is on standby, ready to assist you with your queries and help you find the best home security options for your needs and budget.