Many homeowners struggle to switch off when they leave the house, with new research revealing that one in five cannot fully relax on holiday because they are too worried about their property. A survey of 2,000 homeowners, commissioned by a home‑security company and conducted by Talker Research, points to a pattern of near‑constant checking and anxiety that begins almost immediately after departure.
Immediate doubts and repeated checks
The survey suggests the worry kicks in fast: 65% of respondents said they began to question whether they had locked the door or closed the garage within 30 minutes of leaving their home, while 39% reported feeling unsettled even before they had pulled out of the driveway. On average, homeowners said they check in on their property — physically, mentally or via apps — four times a day.
These behaviours appear to be driven chiefly by concerns for loved ones and possessions. When asked to identify their top worry, 28% cited the physical safety of family and pets, and 25% named break‑ins or burglary.
How many have experienced an incident?
The poll found that 18% of respondents reported an attempted or successful break‑in in the past year — a figure that is likely to reinforce anxiety for many households and help explain the strong interest in security products.
| Statistic | Share of homeowners |
|---|---|
| Cannot relax on holiday | 20% |
| Question locks/garage within 30 minutes | 65% |
| Worry before leaving driveway | 39% |
| Experienced attempted/successful break‑in in past year | 18% |
Security systems and reliance on video doorbells
Technology appears to be many people’s answer. The majority of those surveyed — 63% — said they have some form of security system installed. Of those with a system, 73% said they monitor it themselves rather than using a paid professional monitoring service.
Video doorbells are particularly prevalent: 59% of homeowners with a monitored system have a doorbell camera, and 32% said it was the single piece of equipment they relied on most. Half of respondents who answered believed a doorbell camera alone offered sufficient protection against burglary.
- Cost concerns remain a barrier: among those without a system, 36% cited monitoring fees or hardware costs as the reason.
- Some homeowners remain unconcerned: 30% of non‑system owners said they did not feel the need for one, often because they considered their neighbourhood safe.
What this means for homeowners
For many, the combination of intermittent checking and reliance on single devices such as video doorbells may provide reassurance — but it may not eliminate anxiety. Frequent checking is itself a source of stress, and the data indicates that concerns about safety are a significant driver of home‑technology adoption.
Practical steps homeowners can consider to reduce that low‑level, persistent anxiety include establishing a simple leaving routine (a short checklist to complete before you lock the door), using smart‑home automation to confirm doors and appliances are off, or investing in a monitored system if the cost is justified by peace of mind. For those who find the thought of returning to check compulsive, pre‑departure rituals and technology that provides a definitive confirmation — such as central locking notifications or whole‑home smart plugs — may help break the cycle.
Whether driven by genuine risk or the nagging uncertainty of modern life, the findings underline how the line between convenience, reassurance and worry is increasingly being shaped by technology and personal habits.
