Does My Home Need A Home Security System?

Updated: August 12, 2026Written by: Mark Judson

Your home is the keeper of all the things that are most important to you—your family, your possessions, your memories, and your sense of safety itself— so it’s imperative for you to keep it protected. But is a home security system the answer to ensuring that everything you hold dear is secure? The following are some benefits to consider that will help you determine whether or not you need a home security system. 

Deterrent to Thieves

The primary reason that people consider getting a home security system is to give them peace of mind knowing their family and possessions are safe. If you’re wondering how effective a home security system is in doing this, look no further than research conducted by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte that found 60 percent of burglars will avoid trying to break into a home that they know has a security system. Although some thieves may be bold enough to take a chance burglarizing a home despite the security system, chances are they’re likely to flee because the sound of the alarm is so loud, it will aid in them getting caught.

Immediate Police Dispatch

If the sound of an alarm does not make burglars think twice about breaking into houses with home security systems, the speed it takes for the police to arrive at the scene will. If your alarm is triggered and the security company is unable to get in touch with you, the police are immediately dispatched to your home to find out if you and your family are safe—as well as catch any criminals who may have broken in if you’re away.

Monitoring Capabilities

Vacations are a prime opportunity for thieves to break into your home, but when you have a security system, you don’t have to worry and wonder what’s going on at your house while you’re away. These products can give you a sense of peace because you’re empowered to check in on what’s going on at home whenever you want during your vacations. And when you’re having too much fun on your trip to log into the home security system online, you can still be confident that your house is safe because the security company tracks the activity at your home and will notify you, as well as the appropriate emergency services, immediately if something seems awry. As a result, you can rest easy knowing if there’s a problem in your home while you’re away, you won’t be left in the dark about it.

Lower Homeowner’s Insurance Costs

Not only is a home security system good for the safety of your family and your belongings, it’s also good for your wallet. Depending on your insurance carrier, you may be able to receive discounts on your premiums for having an alarm system installed in your home. In fact, insurance companies have so much confidence in the effectiveness of these systems that they may offer discounts of up to 20 percent to their customers who use one to protect their homes. 

Fire Protection

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire departments around the country respond to over 350,000 house fires per year, which result in about 2,600 deaths and $6.9 billion in property damage. Whether your family is at home asleep in the middle of the night or you’re away for the holidays, a home security system can protect your house and loved ones from fire thanks to the monitoring these services provide, including early warnings that are triggered when smoke or changes in heat are detected in the home. And if there is a fire, these systems alert the fire department immediately so your home and family are not at risk. 

Medical Assistance

Homeowners who are elderly, as well as those living with disabilities or illnesses, can get extra peace of mind when purchasing home security systems because they often include services that allow them to easily get medical assistance when they need it. When people get this service, they are supplied with a medical alert pendant or emergency pulls that they can use to have paramedics sent to their home to give them the help they need. 

Protection From Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 100,000 people in the United States are treated in the emergency room and 400 people die from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning annually. Exposure to this poisonous gas can cause long-term health problems, the Mayo Clinic reports, including permanent damage to the heart and brain. Since carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that cannot be detected by our senses, it’s important to ensure that we aren’t being exposed to it—and we’re able to get the assistance we need when we are. Home security systems can help protect families from exposure to this toxin by monitoring the home for carbon monoxide leaks and alerting homeowners of any possible exposure—as well as dispatching emergency services to their homes to provide treatment.