Given the tech security options available, millions of adults across the UK now use some form of technology to keep their home secure, says an price comparison website.
This includes programming a light to come on (12 per cent), setting an alarm (24 per cent), using a motion sensing camera linking to an app (4 per cent) and CCTV (5 per cent). Other steps taken include locking internal doors (26 per cent) and leaving the radio or TV on (11 per cent). However, the most popular method of keeping intruders at bay is still the traditional ruse of ‘leaving a light on in the house when it’s empty’, with 34 per cent of Brits relying on this.
Despite all the home security solutions on the market, A quarter (27 per cent) of people don’t check all windows and doors are locked when they leave the house. Yorkshire and the Humber is the region preferring the most high tech security solutions with one in ten people having surveillance cameras with a motion sensor linking to a mobile app. They are also the area most likely to have an alarm, with 33 per cent installing these at home and 15 per cent programme a light to automatically turn on when not at home.
It seems it is men, more than women, who are opting for these gadgets that are becoming more widely used. Women were more likely to take less tech savvy measures like leaving a light on (37 per cent of women, 30 per cent of men), hiding valuables (23 per cent of women, 18 per cent of men) or checking all windows and doors are locked (76 per cent of women, 68 per cent of men). However men are more likely to opt for a tech based solution like programming a light to turn on (14 per cent of men, 9 per cent of women), setting an alarm (28 per cent of men, 19 per cent of women) or using a camera connected to an app (6 per cent of men, 2 per cent of women).
As more people live in flatshares, sometimes the risk can actually come from within the home. Some 6 per cent of people don’t even know the full names of the people they share a house or flat with. This is a higher figure amongst the 18 to 24 year olds with 14 per cent confessing this, however it is still the case for 5 per cent of the over 45s.
Looking beyond living in a secure house, to living in a safe neighbourhood – 33 per cent of people do not know who all their neighbours are and 8 per cent of those living in apartment blocks have or would let someone into the building that they don’t recognise, with this figure rising to 23 per cent for Scots. More than one in ten (12 per cent) people admit that they would do nothing if they heard a neighbour’s alarm going off – but only 7 per cent of the over 55s. TheWest Midlands are the most active in promoting the safety of their community as 11 per cent are involved in a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme, compared to just 3 per cent in Northern Ireland and 8 per cent across the UK.
This research marks comparethemarket.com’s release of tips for keeping your home safe: https://www.comparethemarket.com/home-insurance/content/smart-home-security-tech/.
Gemma Schwarz, Head of Home, comparethemarket.com says: “Technology is advancing at an astonishing rate these days, so perhaps it is unsurprising that people want to call on this to protect their most precious place – their home. There is a lot to be said for traditional methods like double locking doors and leaving on lights, but it’s clear to see that in this day and age people want to turn to more advanced home security measures.”
Survey method
Research carried out by One Poll questioned 1,000 adults aged 18 to 54 in October 2016. Based on a multiple choice question where respondents could select several options rather than a single response.
Picture by Mark Rowe; flats, Cheltenham.
