Protect your home for under $300

HOME security is one of the world’s fastest-growing consumer markets and household crimes are affecting more than a million Australians each year.

New Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows that last financial year 458,000 households, or 5 per cent of all households, reported at least one incident of malicious damage. Another 420,000 reported a break-in or attempted break-in, while 253,000 experienced other theft.

Many people believe protecting their home costs thousands of dollars, but falling technology prices have cut back the costs, while some measures are free.

Security and electronics firm Swann’s vice president of global marketing, Jeremy Stewart, said there was a large industry with a vested interest in selling expensive products and services, but home security no longer required a big

investment.

“Now, you can install CCTV surveillance starting from a few hundred dollars in price and do it all by yourself,” he said.

“Prices range anywhere from $20 for an imitation camera all the way up to thousands of dollars for an ultra-HD wired system.”

Mr Stewart said free ways to beef up home security included getting to know your neighbours and keeping an eye on each other’s properties, ensuring your home looked lived in, putting security stickers on windows, and locking doors and windows even when at home.

Buyologists founder Mike Chalmers said home security systems could also allow people to save on insurance.

“Most insurance companies offer discounts to homes that have security systems, so before making any decisions, check your policy first,” he said.

Mr Chalmers said buyers should also ask if there were discounts for cash or prepayment up-front.