Statistics are not always about how many parrots are in the Amazon or what the highest temperature on earth in recorded history has been. Some of them hit closer to home and can serve as both a warning and a prod to take better care of certain vulnerabilities before something bad happens to you. Here are five scary statistics that will make you question the safety of your home, that will hopefully encourage you to investigate home security systems that you may invest in to put your mind at ease.

1.   There are 3 burglaries every minute in the United States, and 1.1 to 2.5 million burglaries every year.

While the annual rates of burglary are trending downwards, it still remains a general fact they exceed one million in any given year, and that one occurs every twenty-six seconds. The Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation keep records of these incidents and provide these statistics to the public.

2.   Only 17% of homes in the United States have a security system. Or, 83% do not own one.

Home security systems are thought to be pricey investments reserved for the rich and famous, but the reality is that there are systems designed for the average person with a tight budget, and they can cost as little as $10 per month. It’s critical that lower-income individuals and families invest in some type of home protection, because they are the most vulnerable to burglaries and break-ins.

3. Burglars are 3x more likely to break into homes without a security system.

The reality is that most burglars will move on to the next house if their initial target has a security system, and this can include visible cameras, motion-activated lights, or alarms. This is evident to the burglar in the “casing” stage of choosing a house to enter unlawfully.

4. Over one-third of burglars enter houses through the front door.

To be precise, statistics show that 34% of burglars enter through the front door, and this includes both breaking in and entering a door that has mistakenly been left unlocked. When combined with entry via the back door of the house, if there is one, first-floor doorway entries account for over half of burglaries.

5. 39% of burglars carry a firearm.

Perhaps the most terrifying statistic on this list, for every five burglars, two will be carrying a firearm. This means that the danger has far surpassed the concerns of material robbery and has entered into the realm of a potentially lethal home invasion, in which you and your family could experience serious injury or death. According to a State of the USA report, only 12% of burglars actually made use of firearms. However, it is also worth remembering that one in four homeowners who try to interrupt and confront a burglar end up being the victim of a violent crime. While these statistics are frightening to say the least, the best way to avoid burglary is to invest in a reliable home security system that suits your needs.