Draper-based home security provider Cove has released market research highlighting trends in home protection. According to the study, only half of U.S. homes have some sort of home protection system. The study, “Cove’s Home Security Trends Report,” also says that men are more likely to use a system than women.
“It’s fascinating to see how dramatically the survey results differ by both generation and gender,” said Jamie Armstrong, Cove’s director of marketing and communications. “The Home Security Trends Report identifies important ways that we can better address the unique needs of various demographics.”
The study found the top three reasons for homes not having a home security system were expense, low crime rate in the area and dog ownership.
Twenty-five percent of survey respondents said they have experienced a break-in and 39 percent have had an item stolen from their porch. Of those respondents who were victims of porch pirates, 70 percent were not reimbursed.
Safety habits differ greatly by both age and gender with 22 percent of millennials posting on social media while traveling, compared to 13 percent of Gen Z, 7 percent of Gen X and 1 percent of baby boomers. Millennials were also most comfortable leaving their doors unlocked, while 31 percent of women will “definitely not” answer the door for a stranger, compared to 17 percent of men.
Home invasion was the top safety concern for both Gen Z and millennials, while fire was the top safety concern for Gen X and boomers. Only 31 percent of women felt completely safe in their homes, compared to 48 percent of men.
Respondents reported a love-hate relationship with security cameras, with 86 percent believing they’re an important part of a home security system, yet 62 percent worry that a security company could spy on them through their security cameras.
Data for the Cove survey were collected in August by TrendCandy, an independent market research firm, through a survey of 1,000 U.S. residents ages 18 and up.