As safe as houses: The real impact security has on our wellbeing
When we think about creating a comfortable home, we may think of getting the air temperature right and the amount of light we can see. But safety and security can play a huge role too – especially when it comes to our wellbeing. The UK Green Building Council’s report Health and Wellbeing in Homes, found when people were asked to select features of their ideal home, safety and security topped the list. It came higher than having a home that is affordable, a home with no condensation or damp, and a home that has views of nature and greenery.
Putting a price on safety
People are spending more money than ever before on home security. According to one forecast, if current trends continue, more than $370bn will be spent on domestic security systems worldwide by 2022, at a growth rate in excess of 10 per cent a year.
Part of the reason people are spending more on security is developments in technology. With IP-CCTV systems for the home now readily available and affordable, and the emergence of ‘smart’ integrated systems that combine fire and intruder alerts with access control, there are more options available to the average homeowner.
Another key driver of this trend is growing awareness of just how important it is to feel safe in our own homes. While burglary, for example, has long been recognised as a serious crime, the impact on victims has typically been measured in terms of the value of the possessions lost, and perhaps the need to clean up and repair the property.
But we now know the impact of burglary on the emotional wellbeing of victims is much more long-term and profound. One survey from MoneySupermarket.com found one in eight burglary victims feel they never recover fully from the trauma caused from a break in. Another study by insurance firm Churchill found 1.3 million burglary victims moved house following the incident.
Long-term consequences
As with any traumatic experience, the range of emotions people experience in the aftermath of a burglary, and the reactions it causes, varies greatly. According to Churchill, the most common responses include anxiety at the thought that someone else has been in their home and feelings of being violated. A quarter of victims claimed to suffer from sleepless nights, while one in 10 said they could no longer be in their home alone after a burglary.
Other studies confirm the long-term impact victims of burglary can experience - almost half worry it may happen again, while a third say the experience of being burgled damaged their confidence.
For a lot of people, these feelings will pass. MoneySupermarket.com calculated the average length of time it took burglary victims to get over the negative effects it had on them was two months. But even this may be longer than the time it would normally take to repair any damage caused, complete insurance claims, replace stolen goods and so on.
For some, the negative consequences can be much longer lasting. For those who decide to move home following a burglary, of course, the effects end up being permanent. Emotionally, too, the stress and upheaval caused by burglary can leave some victims struggling to cope. Sleepless nights and worries about being home alone can easily develop into longer term problems with anxiety and depression.
Designing and building safer, happier homes
Our homes are our sanctuaries, the places where we rest, relax, raise families and so much more. They are where we let our guard down, supposedly safe from the stresses and pressures of the outside world.
More than the loss of possessions through theft, the real impact of burglary is on people’s sense of well-being and security. It robs victims of their peace of mind, and this emotional impact is quite literally driving people from their homes.
When we look at the wellbeing and health impact that burglaries and crimes can cause, it’s easy to understand why we need to design and build homes that are as safe and secure as possible.