When considering your safety, myths and hearsay pop up like weeds in the garden. People believe in so much security misinformation they were told years ago and never questioned — but these days, it’s very wrong. And believing these rumors doesn’t just compromise your safety, it can also cost you money and peace of mind.
From how burglars break into homes to how tenants can protect their rentals, I’ve identified the most significant mistakes. I’ll also clarify why these widespread myths about home safety and security systems are incorrect.
Myth: Home security systems are expensive
What’s the point of a home security system if the initial and ongoing costs outweigh the value of what was damaged or stolen? It’s a fair argument, but home security may be more affordable than you’d think, especially if you go the DIY route.
While it’s true that costs for a professional home security system can quickly add up, it’s not uncommon for home security companies to run special offers that could save you hundreds on equipment and installation. Depending on the provider and available promotions, it’s totally possible to get a basic system free with installation included (yes, you’ll have to sign a contract, but more on that in the next section).
On the other hand, you’ll have to purchase all your own equipment for a DIY home security setup. Still, you can get everything you need to watch your home inside and out, complete with cameras and motion sensors, for a couple hundred bucks or less.
Professional monitoring isn’t available with all DIY devices, but if it is an option with your camera or security system, expect an added monthly fee of $10 to $25 for a typically unlimited number of devices. Fees are often lower if you pay annually instead of monthly.
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Myth: Burglars can cut the lines to a home security system
This myth hasn’t been true for a long, long time because home security systems don’t use landlines anymore (and plenty of people don’t use phone landlines anyway). From professionally installed full systems to DIY packages, home security systems work via wireless signals like your Wi-Fi network, plus specialized signals like Zigbee, Thread and cellular connection backups in case wireless connections aren’t working.
The result is systems that burglars can’t “cut” or otherwise disable. Even if burglars get access to a security keypad or hub inside the house, many are designed to alert owners about tampering and automatically lock down. With cloud video storage, burglars can’t get rid of automatically recorded video storage, either.
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That depends on what you mean by “effective.” If someone is set on getting into your home, even the best security system will not stop them. That said, if someone is considering breaking into your home or swiping a package off your porch, the presence of a security system or surveillance camera is a good deterrent.
A study from the University of North Carolina found that about 83% of professional criminals interviewed said they would try to find out if a home or business had a security alarm before attempting a burglary. Roughly 60% claimed they would seek out an alternative target if an alarm were detected.
Even if the burglar is successful, your security devices may capture images, video or sounds leading to their identification and arrest. At the very least, you can use the information to alert your neighbors and help prevent future occurrences. And don’t forget, that evidence is very useful when making a claim on your homeowners insurance after a theft.
Keep in mind, many security guard companies and other security services will try to convince people that security systems aren’t very effective or that they can be easily jammed. That’s not true, so don’t mistake marketing for actual advice on home safety.
Myth: I don’t need home security because I have a big dog
Dogs can act as a security deterrent, but they can’t take the place of any real home security, for a few reasons all pet owners should know. First, it’s hard to train a dog to be vicious toward only suspicious trespassers and not innocent strangers or visiting family. And if your dog attacks someone, even a burglar, they have powerful grounds for a successful lawsuit. (We also don’t think it’s very cool to raise dogs this way.)
Second, many burglars will strike when you and your dog are away on walks or when you’re on vacation and your dog is at the kennel, so pets won’t help very much in these cases.
Third, homeowners insurance tends to frown on some of the most infamous guard dog breeds. If you get a Rottweiler, Doberman or similar breed for home protection, your insurance company may deny burglar claims or threaten to cancel your policy.
Myth: It’s illegal to record video in your home
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Outdoor lights at night can scare away some trespassers, especially if they are motion-activated and include the ability to recognize humans, so they can send you an alert. But there’s one small problem: Most burglaries tend to happen during the day when burglars don’t think anybody is at home. Lights don’t help much in these cases.
Instead, an affordable home security system or even just a smart lock or video camera can help a lot, no matter what time of day it is.
Myth: I live in a rural area, so I don’t need any extra home security
This assumption doesn’t work because it varies so much based on region. While property crimes (which include burglary and vandalism, and should not be mistaken for violent victimization or other statistics) are generally on a downward trend everywhere, there’s no guarantee that rural areas are free of property crime compared to nearby urban or suburban areas.
In fact, in some rural locations property crime rates are higher than in cities. Even on average, property crime rates in rural areas are around 50% (PDF) to 75% of those in urban areas, so there are still plenty of risks. And more remote locations may be more tempting to burglars who are trying to avoid the eyes of neighbors.
For more, read up on the top home security mistakes you can make. Learn how to stop porch pirates, reduce the risk of car break ins and what you should keep in a safe. For more home security tips, check out the three places you should never put a security camera, and how to use an old smartphone as a security camera.
