A Third Of Break-in Victims Suffer From Anxiety

The impact of a burglary far surpasses the cost of replacing stolen items or damaged property, as research by ADT Security reveals break-ins cause anxiety in 34% of victims.

Honestly, this number seems low. I still have anxiety from a break-in from a home I owned 15 years ago, that was 4 houses ago! That feeling never really leaves you. It’s a constant reminder to be vigilant and activate that alarm.

The inaugural Secure Homes Report, which surveyed 2000 homeowners and renters, reveals that 40% of victims experienced reduced trust levels, 16% experienced sleeping problems and 8% were no longer able to be at home alone following break-in or burglary.

According to the research, the majority of those surveyed are aware of the need for home security, with 93% locking their doors.

But when those surveyed had been victims of a previous break-in they chose more advanced custom home security solutions. As many as 65% of break-in victims reported they upgraded their homes security after their homes were broken into.

I’ve seen even higher statistics than that. In an informal survey I’ve done, almost 9 out of 10 people I talked to installed a home security system after they were broken into.

Once a home is burgled, people lose their sense of security and try to gain it back with the installation of an alarm. A home alarm certainly provides security, but people who are victimized in this way often face years of emotional aftershocks.

The key to security is thinking proactively and doing things to secure yourself and family before something bad happens. Don’t think “it can’t happen to me”, think “yes, there is a chance this can happen and I’m going to set an example and proactively do something about it.”

Robert Siciliano personal and home security specialist to Home Security Source discussing ADT Pulse™ on Fox News.