New ADT research, conducted by a leading marketing research company, examines home protection trends and identifies the partial — or "safe-ish" — security measures that Americans take when it comes to home security.
ADT surveyed 3,000 adults across the United States, including renters and homeowners, to understand how they approach achieving home safety. This research provided an in-depth look at the behavioral patterns, emotional impacts and technology adoption that have played a role in shaping home safety in 2025.
Too much reliance on 'safe-ish' measures
Despite a widespread desire to feel physically and emotionally secure at home, many Americans rely on safe-ish behaviors or safety hacks. Some of these include: the use of misleading signs, nonfunctioning cameras, hiding keys under doormats or plants, or relying on a neighbor to “keep watch” while they're away.
Additional key findings include:
- 38.1% admit to using fake security items in an attempt to deter criminal activity
- 23.7% use easily guessable passwords for doors or garages, such as birthdays or repeated digits
- 38% say they always or occasionally leave their doors unlocked while away from home
- 29% leave packages unattended on porches for four or more hours
An emotional impact
While these shortcuts may seem convenient, they offer little real protection, and the consequences can be serious.
Following a security incident, survey results showed:
- 35% of respondents reported feeling helpless or violated
- 24% felt less safe in their home
- 40% said they lost trust in their neighborhood
Why are some relying on 'safe-ish' behaviors?
So what drives people to adopt these safe-ish habits, knowing the potential risks? While there’s not a plain and simple answer, some reasoning includes:
- A general lack of awareness about effective security measures: Safe-ish habits can be well-intentioned, but without actual security measures in place, there’s only so much that a decoy sign can do. When it comes to an actual security threat, having the right equipment can help prevent a tragedy, and the emotional and physical toll that can cause.
- Misconceptions about the cost of reliable home protection: Most people assume that a home security system involves expensive equipment and professional installation. However, DIY systems are becoming more prevalent and offer pricing flexibility. ADT’s DIY products offer a wide variety of options and no long-term contracts. With DIY installation, you can decide on the products you need, tailored to your budget. And with simple setup, customers can initiate their security system themselves.
- Convenience of decoy tools: While it might seem tempting to prop up a fake security camera since it's fast and easy, these safe-ish hacks provide minimal protection and a false sense of security, making your home vulnerable to an actual security threat.
The data makes this clear that participating in safe-ish tactics are not worth the risk. Survey results found that 72% of individuals who rely on these habits say they are only occasionally effective at preventing incidents, and over the past two years, 11.4% have experienced some form of break-in.
Opportunities for safer home security
Although these statistics are concerning, they also present an opportunity. Homeowners and renters can break free from these unsafe habits and transition to modern security solutions.
With more than 150 years of home security expertise, ADT offers real, comprehensive home protection and monitoring services that can replace these safe-ish habits for good.
Safety options to consider:
- Smart solutions for comprehensive protection begin with replacing decoy items with professionally monitored security products that offer meaningful protection — whether professionally installed or DIY. With trusted product integrations such as Google Nest and the Yale Touch Lock, ADT’s products offer an impressive range of security features to meet your needs.
- By integrating security features using Z-Wave technology, homeowners and renters can create a cohesive system that enables whole-home surveillance and control.
- Services such as ADT's Trusted Neighbor™ further strengthen security by removing the need to hide spare keys, providing secure, temporary access for trusted contacts such as neighbors or friends.
By shifting away from safe-ish habits and investing in these dependable security solutions, Americans can build the peace of mind they deserve, backed by real protection.
Interested in what security solutions ADT has for you? Visit adt.com to get started.
Methodology: ADT commissioned this national survey in partnership with Prodege Research. It includes responses from 3,000 U.S. adults, representing a cross-section of renters and homeowners across all housing types. Data collection occurred in May 2025, with stratified weighting applied to ensure demographic and regional representation. The findings offer a snapshot of modern safety behaviors and perceptions, reinforcing the need for smarter, more consistent home security practices.