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This article is a widely known subject. Home security and personal security pertains to everyone, so this article should be improved for future readers. This article pertains to the United States rather than a global outlook. The article touches on the industry of home security, yet only brings up the top system within the United States. While six sources were used in the creating of this page there is not enough information. Most of the information brought up within the article is subjective rather than objective.

This article is very informative yet general. It lists what some tasks may be under home automation software. This article only uses one source, so bringing in more may help broaden the subject and clear up main points. The charts used are confusing and can be fixed within the editing process and the finding of new information. Adding a lead section can also help improve the overall message of this page.

While this article is robust with information, there are only six sources used and not very often. Including more information overall will allow for a clearer message throughout the article. The strongpoints of the article are including the background and the explaining of different parts, but it does not include enough information for the sub points to connect or make sense. This subject applies to most people since it is including personal computers (PC), so improving the overall message will be beneficial.

A global outlook on this topic will be beneficial, so adding statistics and home security evolution from other countries will help overall. More information about protecting oneself inside their home. More examples of personal security (locked door, alarm set, windows closed, etc.) should be included. The industry section of this article is a good transition to get the background and evolution of home security, so adding more information from other countries will make it global rather than local.

Fine-tuning some of the paragraphs will help change the tone from subjective to objective. Incorporating more sources will also help the article become more informative for future readers.

Home security is both the security hardware in place on a property as well as personal security practices. Security hardware includes doors, locks, alarm systems, lighting, motion detectors, security camera systems, etc. that are installed on a property; personal security involves practices such as ensuring doors are locked, alarms activated, windows closed, extra keys not hidden outside, etc.

According to an FBI report, 58.3 percent of burglaries in the United States involved forcible entry. A typical burglary lasts for about 8 to 12 minutes and, on average, a burglar will break into a home within 60 seconds. Most thefts target cash first followed by jewels, drugs, and electronics. Common security methods include never hiding extra keys outside, never turning off all the lights, applying small CCTV stickers on doors, and keeping good tabs with neighbours.

One main component to home security is finding an area for easy programming and interaction for users. A control panel is implemented to arm and disarm a home security system. The control panel is the main connection to the alarm company monitoring a home. It typically features a touchpad or buttons to easily maneuver the system, and some newer systems also feature voice control or wireless remotes (key fobs).^[1]

Door and window sensors are also implemented in most home security systems. One part of the system is installed on the door or window itself while the other part is installed on the frame of the door or window. The two part system fits secure within each other when a door or window is closed, creating a security circuit.

Surveillance cameras and motion sensors work hand in hand with allowing home owners to keep an eye on areas of their home that they might not have access to at the moment. Motion sensors create zones which cannot be accessed without sounding an alarm. Cameras do not typically do this but most home security systems can be set up to have any movement detected on a camera to be displayed on the owner's account.

Glass break detectors are usually installed near glass doors or a window front of a store. This equipment uses a microphone to detect when a pane of glass is broken or shattered. By monitoring the sound and vibrations the alarm only reacts to sounds above a certain threshold to avoid false alarms.

High-decibal alarms ensure that a break in will not go unnoticed. These alarm systems are loud enough to where neighbors are ensured to hear it. They are also implemented with the intention to frighten an unwanted intruder.

All of the technology based security hardware work hand in hand with the control panels in a house to relay all messages to the monitoring company. Home owners rely heavily on these systems to ensure their safety, and without the control panel monitoring everything happening within the home this is impossible.

Some forecasts project the home security market as a whole will be worth $47 billion by 2020, with the DIY home security market worth $1.5 billion. While the market for home security is expanding, especially with cable TV and Internet service providers introducing their own security and home automation products, it is a fragmented market, with "a massive array of large and small rivals". The US market leader is ADT with more than 6 million households subscribed.

The FBI reported that 1.7 million homes were burglarized in 2014. The same report shows that an estimated loss of $3.9 billion was suffered by the victims in the same year. Overall, when the average value was applied to the estimated number of burglaries, the average dollar loss per burglary offense was $2,251. Roughly, there are 2.5 million burglaries a year with 66% being home break-ins. Police typically only solve 13% of break-in crimes due to lack of information and witnesses.

It is reported that 1,495,790 break-ins occur during the day and 1,324,090 occur at night. Break-ins are 6% more likely to occur between 6am and 6pm while most are out of the house.^[2]

With only 17% of homes being equipped with home security systems, many burglars are attracted to homes lacking a system. 95% of break-ins require some type of forceful entry (breaking a window, lock picking, kicking in doors). Some common tools used for break-ins are pliers, screwdrivers, and hammers.^[3] This makes it hard to see break-ins coming since they are common household tools.

A study at UNC Charlotte concluded that burglars are commonly males under the age of 25. 12% of burglars admitted to planning their break-in in advance while 41% said it was an impulsive decision. Also, many burglars admitted they consider factors like proximity to traffic. 83% of burglars said they look for evidence of an alarm system, and 60% said they do not break-in if they see one is installed.^[4]

• Burglary
• Physical security
• Property crime
• Self-Defense