Holidays are supposed to provide the perfect antidote to busy and stressful lives, but alarming new research has shown that the majority of Britons (56%) are spending their sacred time away panicking that their homes will be burgled.
That’s according to new research conducted by leading home security experts ADT, in their poll of 2000 adults from across the UK.
While younger generations are supposed to be living wild and carefree, the findings showed that sadly this couldn’t be further from the truth. Gen Z and Millennials are 120% more concerned about being burgled when they’re away from home than older generations, with findings revealing a sliding scale of worry, that lessens as a person ages:
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Gen Z (66 %)
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Millennials (66%)
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Gen X (56%)
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Baby Boomers (47%)
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Silent Generation (30%)
Leaving homes unattended looks to be causing a lot of stress for the nation too, with the research also showing that a third (31%) of people are troubled by thoughts of their house being burgled for hours after they’ve left, and one in 10 spending their whole time away feeling uneasy about leaving their house empty.
The top five things people ruminate on when they’re away include:
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Not closing windows (33%)
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Leaving the door unlocked (32%)
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Leaving a kitchen appliance on (26%)
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Leaving the door open (19%)
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Leaving hair straighteners on (16%)
Despite all of this, two in five (17%) people in the UK have no home security system fitted and only one in 10 (11%) Britons have an externally monitored intruder alarm system installed.
Additionally, almost half (44%) of people in the UK admitted to leaving their doors unlocked or wide open when they have left the house and two thirds (60%) don’t check if their new home has a security system in place before moving in.
Glenn Amato, Managing Director commented: “After the last few years that we have all collectively endured, it’s clear that the nation won’t ever take holidays for granted again. Which is why it is so important that we can fully switch off, relax and enjoy the time away – we have never deserved a holiday more!
Here at ADT, we’re on a mission to help provide peace of mind for anyone leaving their home for an extended period. While it is important to have a balance between reasonable security measures and fuelling concerns of burglary, there are very simple changes that people can make to help protect their homes from break ins.”
Top tips on how to protect your home while you’re away:
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Consider rescheduling any packages you may be getting delivered. If they’re left on your doorstep, this is a tell-tale sign that someone is away. Plus, they could be stolen from outside your home
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Similarly, if you have a milk delivery, remember to let your supplier know you want this to be paused whilst you’re away
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Check what you’re posting on social media. Either turn on your privacy settings so only people you trust can see your content, or hold off on posting until you’re back home
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Consider using smart plugs with your lights and have them turn on and off to give the impression that someone is home
To find out more about how ADT can help to keep homes safe visit: www.adt.co.uk
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About ADT
ADT is the UK’s leading provider of fire, security and life safety systems for homes and businesses, offering 24/7 monitored burglar alarms, the latest smart security and lifestyle technology, CCTV systems, monitored smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and more. Protecting homes and businesses across the UK & Ireland for over 147 years, it provides over 400,000 residential and small to medium business customers with round the clock protection, detection and peace of mind, keeping people, homes, business property and assets safe.