The Residential Security Industry is Growing...

In 2000, Americans spent an estimated $17.5 billion on professionally installed electronic security products and services. (This figure includes monthly monitoring fees); previous totals are: $16.2 billion in 1999, $14.9 billion in 1998.

Spending on electronic security products and services is growing at estimated 8.7% per year.

In 2000, an average of approximately 12,000 businesses nationwide were classified as "alarm installing entities."

By the end of 2001, it is projected that approximately 17.5 % of the households in the United States will be protected by professionally installed and monitored electronic burglar alarm systems.

From 1990 to 2000, consumers spent more than $42.8 billion on home security installations (This figure includes monitoring costs).

Burglary Statistics

Property Crimes are Dropping…
The crime rate for property crimes has decreased by 1.1 percent in 2004, a 14.4 percent decrease since 1995.
Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report 2004

What is considered a burglary…
Burglary is defined as the unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or theft. The use of force to gain entry is not required to classify an offense as a burglary. Burglary is categorized into three sub classifications: forcible entry, unlawful entry where no force is used, and attempted forcible entry.
Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report 2004

Security Systems Decrease Likelihood of burglary…
In a survey of 1,000 police and fire chiefs, 85 percent of the police officials said security systems decrease the likelihood a home will be burglarized. Almost 90 percent felt security systems increase their chances of apprehending burglars, and 85 percent said they encourage the installation of electronic security systems in residences and businesses in their communities.
Source: Private Security Report from the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration

People Feel Safe with Security Systems…
94 percent of alarm owners are satisfied with their alarm systems.
Source: Dr. Simon Hakim, Temple University

Facts about Burglar Bars…
California has passed laws requiring that security bars used on escape windows be releasable and that all security bars be labeled with safety information. Mississippi and Texas have laws with varying requirements. Underwriters Laboratories has set standards for window-bar releasing systems.
Source: National Fire Protection Association (www.NFPA.org)

Basic Precautions to Reduce Burglary…
There are four basic types of precautions which must be provided to significantly reduce the chance of burglary:

• Deterring Measures: These are security measures which are likely to lower the chance of a break-in when the burglar cruises the neighborhood in search of a target. Burglars search for homes that appear to be unoccupied. Thus, deterring measures suggest that somebody is at home. For example, a car in the driveway, motion sensitive exterior lights, interior lights, and radios and TVs on timers, all give the impression that someone is in the home.
• Preventive Measures: These are security measures which make the actual break-in more difficult and/or time consuming. Burglars spend no more than 60 seconds breaking into a home. Measures which rise this time may cause burglars to change their mind. Some examples include deadbolt locks, bars on windows, and pins in sash windows.
• Detection Measures: These are measures which detect the presence of an intruder on the premises and send a message out. Only a burglar alarm serves that purpose.

• Managerial Measures: In nature, these measures are in the deterrence category. They are not physical precaution measures like the three previous categories but are associated with the deterring category in their objective, which is to produce the impression that somebody is home. They include stopping newspaper and mail delivery, notifying police when you will be away, and having neighbors watch your home.

Source: Dr. Simon Hakim, Temple University

Security Systems Reduce Burglaries...

Homes without security systems are about 3 times more likely to be broken into than homes with security systems. (Actual statistic ranges from 2.2 times to 3.1 times, depending on the value of the home.) Businesses without alarm systems are 4.5 times more likely to be burglarized than commercial locations with electronic security in place.

Losses due to burglary average $400 less in residences with security systems than for a residence without security systems.

Where Burglars Enter a House...

One survey showed:

• 81 % of residential intrusions occur through the first floor

• 34 % of burglars entered through the front door

• 23 % through a first-floor window

• 22 % through the back door

• 9 % through the garage

• 4 % entered through a basement

• 4 % through an unlocked entrance

• 2 % through a storage area

• 2 % entered anywhere on the second floor

A study in Connecticut showed that 12 % of burglaries occurred through an UNLOCKED door.

A study in Connecticut showed that in 41 % of alarmed homes that were burglarized, the security system was not turned on.

Police Believe Security Systems Reduce Burglaries...

90 % of police believe alarms deter burglary attempts.

In 1994, the International Association of Chiefs of Police passed a Board Resolution stating that professionally installed and monitored alarm systems are useful instruments to deter crime and provide peace of mind for residential and business owners. The organization also pledged to work with the alarm industry to help reduce the problem of false alarms.

People Feel Safe with Security Systems...

• 94 % of alarm owners are satisfied with their alarm systems.

Residential Fires are Expensive and Deadly...

• About 81% of all U.S. fire deaths occur in the home.
• In 1999, home fires caused $567,000 in damage EVERY HOUR.

Arson
A total of 76,045 arson offenses were reported in 1999. Structures are the most frequent targets of arsonists, comprising 45 % of the reported incidents in 1999. Residential property was involved in 61 % of the structural arsons during the year, while 43 % of the arsons were directed at single-family dwellings.

• In 1999, the monetary value of property damaged due to reported arson averaged $10,882 per offense.
• Of the arsons cleared in 1999, 48 % involved only young people under the age of 18, a higher percentage of juvenile involvement than for any other crime.

The Cost of Fire
Self-installed smoke alarms save lives by alerting sleeping residents to get out. Electronic fire alarms not only alert residents, they can also automatically notify the authorities, saving property in addition to lives.

What is the Fire Threat?

• Number of Residential Fires in 1992 - 467,000
• Number of Residential Fire Deaths in 1992 - 4, 115
• Cost of Residential Fires in 1992 - $3,998,000,000

Source: National Fire Experience Survey

Burglar Bars Can Kill...

From 1985 to 1991, an average of 16 people died each year due to burglar bars blocking their exits from burning homes or buildings.

Fires are Linked to Products...

In 1999, residential fires started by smoking materials (typically cigarettes, cigars and pipes) accounted for roughly 882 civilian deaths, 2,126 civilian injuries, and $335.3 million in direct property damage.

In 1997, children playing with fire (typically lighters and matches) started 16,970 residential, 3,120 business, 850 car and 44,130 other residential structure and outdoor fires. This resulted in 284 civilian deaths, 2,158 civilian injuries, and more than $283.3 million in direct property damage, mostly from home fires.

Sources: National Fire Protection Association, STAT Resources, Inc., Simon Hakim, Temple University, International Assoc. of Chiefs of Police.