Is a Home Security System Really Worth It? What Every Homeowner Should Know

Home security systems are essential for deterring criminals and protecting loved ones and valuables. They enable rapid emergency services, allow remote monitoring, and can lower insurance premiums. Tailored systems for specific households, such as seniors, new parents, and travellers, ensure safety against break-ins, environmental hazards, and health emergencies.

When burglars and thieves “case a home” or inspect a property for vulnerabilities, they often look for weak links in the home security system. That’s precisely why burglars frequently strike homes without visible signs of a strong security system.   

So, if your home is unprotected, is home security worth it?—the answer is yes. In fact, it’s a must. The reason goes beyond preventing burglaries and break-ins. A home security system can also protect you and your loved ones from other hazards. 

Why Do I Need a Home Security System?

A security system is just as important as having good plumbing, electrical work, or insulation. Studies have repeatedly shown that burglars target houses with no visible signs of a security system in place, and these houses are 300% more likely to experience a break-in than those with adequate security. 

Alarmingly, a poll revealed as many as 23% of the 817 Canadian responders still don’t use any form of home security at all. If you’re among them, here’s why you should reconsider and install security systems for your home. 

1. Home Security Deters Criminals

The sight of cameras, video doorbells, and other devices deters burglars, prompting them to leave your property. The opposite is also true—a lack of these traditional home security systems gives them the green light to attempt a break-in. 

PasWord Protection can help you build the precise setup needed to warn criminals, including security cameras and video doorbells. 

2. Protects Your Loved Ones and Valuables

Burglars may target homes with vulnerable occupants, namely, the elderly and children. A security system not only deters them from even trying to break in, but it can also actively lock them out, so no one gets harmed and nothing is stolen. 

A home security audit from trusted home security companies like PasWord Protection can help you uncover weak links that are making your home an easier target for burglars and build on them.

3. Enables Rapid Emergency Response

With a 24/7 professional monitoring security service, professional security teams remotely monitor your premises around the clock and can dispatch emergency responders to your home during an active break-in. They can also call for help in case of fires and floods, or slip and fall injuries among the elderly.

4. Allows Remote Monitoring and Control

Whether you’re at the office or on vacation, you can watch live feeds of your property from your phone (via security apps), receive alerts about unusual activity, and even lock entry points remotely. Self-monitoring provides additional peace of mind and control, making home security systems a worthwhile investment.

5. Lowers your Home Insurance Premiums

Residences with strong security systems are less susceptible to costly claims from events such as burglaries, fires, or water damage. Reducing your risk of loss positions you as a safer bet for home insurance companies, which translates to lower premiums for you.

Most insurance providers may offer a 20% reduction in annual premiums if you have protection against fires, floods, carbon monoxide, and burglary, as well as monitored alarm systems, surveillance cameras, smoke detectors, and even water leak sensors. The more comprehensive and professionally monitored your home security is, the higher your discount may be. 

Learn more: Does a Home Security System Lower Home Insurance?



What Your Home Security Needs

To ensure you’re fully protected (and your money is well spent), it’s vital to have a robust setup of security devices, ideally ones with innovative features and advanced monitoring protocols. Some of the staple devices for modern home security systems include:

• Security Cameras—A first line of defence, security cameras belong in your home security system. Modern security cameras provide live video feeds, which you or a monitoring team can watch in real-time via the PasWord Connection App for threats.
  
  
• 24/7 Monitoring Services—Remote surveillance at a ULC-certified monitoring center provides an additional layer of protection, as this external security team continuously watches for suspicious activity, day and night. If they spot a threat, they can also dispatch emergency responders.
  
  
• Video Doorbells—These tools work like security cameras, but also come with features such as two-way communication, allowing you to see and speak to visitors (or intruders) on your front door via an interior unit or your phone. Video doorbells can serve as additional deterrents to burglars.
  
  
• Environmental Hazard Detectors—Aside from theft prevention, your security system should incorporate hazard detection. Fires, floods, gas leaks and other elements can strike suddenly, but detection devices such as smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors can alert you and contact emergency services well before they cause damage or harm. 

That said, it’s also vital to set up security systems to cater to the unique needs of your household and your routine.

Security Devices for the Elderly

Older adults are highly vulnerable to age-related injuries. More than one in four older adults report a fall incident every year. For this group, fall detection and emergency services can help them receive help within minutes if they sustain one of these injuries. 

For example, an 83-year-old woman fell on a mushy ground in her yard and was unable to stand on her own. After pushing her emergency button pendant, emergency assistance arrived within 10 minutes to bandage her hand and get her moving again. 

The lesson? Home security is worth it for elderly couples in every way imaginable, as it can prevent not only break-ins but also signal for help in the event of falls or environmental hazards. 

Medical Alert Systems

• Emergency Pendants and Wristbands—Elderly adults can push emergency buttons to call for help in the event of an injury. When paired with voice-enabled controls, seniors can speak to emergency responders.
  
  
• Fall Detection Systems—These devices can automatically send an alert to emergency dispatchers if integrated with a home security system, which can be life-saving if an older individual is unable to push a button or speak. 

At PasWord Protection, we offer integrations that connect these medical alert devices with home security systems to keep seniors who live independently safe.

Security Devices for New Parents

For new parents, protecting their little ones from all household threats, including invisible ones, is a must. For example, a carbon monoxide (CO2) leak can arise in your child’s room. CO2 is an odourless, tasteless gas that is especially dangerous to newborns and small children. However, the right devices can detect a leak early, allowing you to remove your child immediately and prevent harm.

Devices for New Parents to Consider 

• Baby Monitor—You can integrate a baby monitor with smoke, fire and flood detectors, along with security cameras to keep an eye on them. They work together to send immediate alerts, which can help you secure your child before hazards strike. 

At PasWord Protection, we can connect a baby monitor with your other security systems to ensure the youngest members of your family are safe and well. 

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Security Devices for Frequent Travellers

Frequent fliers or regular travellers have more reason to worry about home security than those who typically stay at home. In the same way, your neighbours may become aware of your scheduled absences, and burglars and thieves may also begin to take notice, especially if they frequently visit your neighbourhood. As a result, they might target your residences more fervently. 

The best way to prevent any attempt is to ensure you have a robust home security system in place. Ideally, your setup will have features that enable not only on-site active monitoring but also remote monitoring, allowing you to view your home from afar.  

Devices for Frequent Travellers 

• Remote Surveillance and Response—The key to reducing intrusion risks from abroad is to have remote monitoring capabilities. That includes cameras that provide live feeds you can view from your mobile devices, as well as professional monitoring teams that can watch them. Additionally, installing smart locks and alarm triggers can secure your premises remotely if burglars attempt to gain entry. 

At PasWord Protection, we provide 24/7 monitoring services from ULC-certified professionals, along with integrations that connect security cameras, video doorbells, alarms, and more, so you can operate them remotely and enjoy peace of mind wherever you are. 

Is a Security System Worth It? Without a Doubt

A home security system is no longer a “nice-to-have”; it’s a must. With home invasions, vandalism, carjackings and other crimes on the rise, you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to protect your premises. A well-configured set of tools ensures that all family members stay safe from intruders and other dangers, regardless of their location. 

At PasWord Protection, we have provided homeowners in the Golden Horseshoe of Ontario, like yourself, with comprehensive security services for 60 years. That includes security devices, professional installation, and 24/7 monitoring services from a ULC-certified team that can act as your second set of eyes.

If you’re unsure where to start, get in touch with us for a free quote. We make it our goal to keep your house a safe haven for you and your loved ones, and a fortress that criminals can’t penetrate. 



Main Takeaways

• Home security systems offer protection against burglaries, break-ins, and environmental hazards, making them essential.
  
  
• Houses without visible security systems are 300% more likely to be targeted by burglars.
  
  
• Key benefits of a home security system:
• Deters criminals before they act
• Protects your loved ones and valuables
• Enables rapid emergency response from local authorities (fire, police, medical)
• Allows for remote monitoring and control via smartphone apps
• Can lower home insurance premiums
  
  
• Most insurance providers offer up to 20% reductions from your annual premiums for homes with professionally monitored security systems.
  
  
• Essential security devices most home security systems include are security cameras, 24/7 monitoring devices, video doorbells, and environmental hazard detectors (for fire, floods, and gas leaks).
  
  
• Security systems can be tailored to specific household needs, such as: 
• For seniors: fall detection and emergency pendants 
• For new parents: Integrated baby monitors with hazard detectors 
• For frequent travellers: Remote surveillance, professional monitoring services, smart locks, and alarm triggers.