Driveway Alarm Systems Can Be A Great Addition To Your Home's Security

Having a driveway alarm system set up is a great way to add extra home security. They are often quite inexpensive to buy and set up. Instead of stopping potential thieves from entering your house, a driveway alarm will stop them from entering the property. If a thief wants to break into a home they often use a truck which they will of course try and park on the drive. When your property has sensors set up, it will scare them off before they even get near the building.

How do they work?

A driveway alarm is one or more sensors which have motion detection features. They can be installed with wireless but new models are often the more convenient wireless driveway alarm types. This makes them extremely easy to install and perfect the positions of the sensors. When a person walks on or a vehicles drives onto the surface, the sensors transmit a signal to a receiver in your home. This can be set to a quiet beep to alert you, or as a louder alarm overnight. Different systems have different alerts. For example if you have locked gates on your driveway, you will want a louder alarm and one outdoors to scare off intruders. Smaller more open driveways will not require such stringent alerts most of the time.

The sensors are usually made to only make a sound with large objects so that there are no false alarms. For example there is no need to hear an alarm or chime when children are playing on the driveway. Most systems can be fitted without a professional installer. They come with stakes to easily place the sensors in the earth, and the wireless versions can have a range of 500ft. One sensor is enough for most driveways but large ones may feel better with more, especially if you have a drive in and out design.

More advanced options include a text alert device which will send a message to you cell phone when there is someone on the property. Voice alert motion detectors can also be added, these send a pre-recorded message reporting the location of an intruder on a property e.g. "intruder on patio", "intruder on side path". Cameras can also be integrated so that you can easily keep an eye on any action.

The most basic models operate in the same way as old gas (petrol) stations. It is a hose which runs along the ground, when a vehicle passes over it a chime sounds. The most advanced driveway alarms for people with a very long entrance include walkie talkies, 2 mile transmitter range, and magnetic probes which detect vehicular movement.

Some driveway alarm tips:

• Have an idea of the transmission distance before buying, you don't need a 2 mile one that costs a lot if your drive is only 100ft long. 
• If you have trees or shrubs in the way of the transmitter and sensor, get something a little more powerful. 
• Don't be cheap, good home security will give you peace of mind so choose a model that will last. 
• If you need a full home security system get one with a built in driveway system. 
• Do you need a camera too? (CCTV cameras on driveways can be set up to play images through your TV) 

How much does a driveway security system cost?

There are some very cheap versions available, but remember they need to be well built to last. They will be placed in the ground outside so will easily get damaged by the elements. Cheap models cost around £30 ($50), believe me they won't work very well. Expect to pay at least £100 ($150) for a decent driveway alarm, and more if you need extra features for your driveway security system.