Lock Up statistics

Report reveals Aussie lockup habits. Picture: Maria Ziegler, unsplash

Home access company Merlin has released report findings detailing the security of Aussie homes.

The Merlin Summer Living Report surveyed over 1,000 Australians to uncover how the nation accesses and secures their homes during the holiday season.

The survey found that one in three Australians leave out a spare key, rendering homes vulnerable to break-ins. The research also indicated that just 20 per cent of Australians are using smart access technology to enter their homes.

Of the survey respondents who leave out a spare key to their property, over 33 percent position the key in a vulnerable position.

According to the most recent Australian Bureau of Statistics data, 194,100 of the nation’s households experienced a break-in during the 2021-22 reporting period.

This number of break-ins was a 13 percent increase on last year’s number .

The Merlin Summer Living Report revealed that one in ten homeowners take no safety actions to secure their homes when away.

The survey also revealed that the most popular safety measure Australians take when away from their home, is to have family and friends check on their house.

Further, according to the survey results, 71 percent of respondents with a garage access it via a remote, with a further 10 per cent supplying this remote to house sitters, guests, and neighbours when they are away.