Study Reveals Steps Americans Take Before Leaving Home

MINNEAPOLIS
Published: July 16, 2002

When Americans leave their homes and travel, approximately
81 percent say their homes are watched by neighbors,
relatives or friends, according to a national survey of
homeowners conducted by Honeywell Automation and Control
Solutions.

Nine out of 10 homeowners travel for pleasure and nearly half (47 percent) travel for business. And sizeable percentages (44 percent and 19 percent, respectively) of those who travel for pleasure or business are away from home 10 or more days a year.

According to the survey, other steps taken before leaving home include: adjust thermostat to save energy (67 percent); turn off lights (61 percent); turn on lights (42 percent); and turn on security system (30 percent). Crime (burglary, break-ins, vandalism, etc.) ranks as the biggest concern (22 percent) of travelers when they’re away for more than a day, according to the study.

The survey contacted 1,029 households in April. The survey findings are based on data from the 622 survey respondents who are homeowners.

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