Honeywell survey: Two-thirds feel unsafe at home

MINNEAPOLIS—An email survey from Honeywell found that of 1,031 U.S. adults, two-thirds felt unsafe in their own homes.

Honeywell commissioned the survey “to uncover the drivers and motivations behind the adoption of connected home technology,” it said in a prepared statement.

Honeywell will use the information to examine its partnerships, educate dealers, develop technologies and “build out roadmaps,” Rob Puric, director for Connected Home and Honeywell Fire and Security, told Security Systems News.

Of the two-thirds of respondents who felt unsafe, 72 percent were women.

“While safety in numbers used to provide peace of mind to homeowners, today, those living in households with more than one person are actually more likely to feel unsafe in their home versus people living alone,” 71 percent vs. 58 percent, according to the study.

Security is a key driver for at-home connectivity, the survey showed, with 60 percent of respondents thinking it would be “cool” to have an app that controls locks and doors, followed by lighting—51 percent; heating and cooling—49 percent; and a surveillance or security camera—42 percent.

Forty-four percent said that they believe all of the items in their homes will be connected by 2025, nearly triple the amount they estimate are connected today, 14 percent.

Cost is the factor holding them back from further connection, 66 percent of those surveyed said.

From recording favorite TV shows to taking care of pets, Americans see many uses for the connected home. More than two in five said they could control their lights—42 percent—and make sure their homes are secured—42 percent—when they are not home, coming in second only to pet owners who would like to feed their pets—48 percent—while they are away.

Nearly one-third—31 percent—of homeowners would prefer an app that can control their home devices to be voice activated rather than with a touchscreen.

Additionally, the survey found,people, particularly those of the Millennial generation, no longer live life on a rigid schedule, and the lack of consistency can leave consumers wondering about their homes when on the road.

Locking the doors tops the list of things worrying Americans, 39 percent, as they head out the door for vacation.

Thirty-four percent of consumers with a security system are unsure if they remembered to turn it on before leaving for vacation.

Forgetting to unplug fire hazards is a more common concern among women than men, 30 percent vs. 24 percent.

Among other findings from the survey, 69 percent of Americans check personal email when traveling, while less than one in five take advantage of technology to make sure their home doors are locked and windows are closed.

Close to three in five social media users log onto networks like Facebook and Twitter when traveling, far outnumbering those Americans with surveillance cameras who, while away from home, use technology to check their security footage, the survey showed.

More than a quarter—27 percent—of Millennials do not lock their windows and doors before leaving home for an extended period, whereas only 19 percent of Baby Boomers and seniors do the same.

More than four in 10, 41 percent, Americans admit that they do not arrange for extra precautions when leaving their home for work or personal travel for at least a few days, the survey said.