Home security systems can be expensive and overkill for many people, but the price is worth it when you want to feel secure in your own home. One of the features of a home security system is a driveway alarm. A driveway alarm monitors movement on your property and alerts you if someone has entered your property without authorization.
What is a driveway alarm?
A driveway alarm is a device that detects vehicles that enter or exit a driveway and sends an alert to your phone. They are typically considered a security device for the home but can also be used to protect cars in garages or other locations such as work.
How Does a Driveway Alarm Work?
The most basic form of a driveway alarm works by sending an alert to the user’s phone if anyone enters or exits the driveway. These devices are typically connected to a phone or computer so that you can receive alerts and act on them – but that’s just one of many options.
Now that you understand what driveway alarms are and how they work, let’s take a look at what makes up an alarm system, so you know how it works and why it’s effective:
1. Motion detectors – These sensors can detect movement, so if there’s a person inside your property who shouldn’t be, the sensor will be triggered and alert you. Some motion sensors also have infrared capabilities, which means they can pick up heat signatures as well.
2. External alarm siren – This siren will emit an ear-piercing noise to alert everyone in the area that there’s danger. Not only is this loud enough to disrupt a would-be burglar, but it’s loud enough for neighbors to hear and call the police, too.
3. Alarm control panel – This is where all of your components are housed so you can monitor everything from one location.
4. Remote control panel – These components let you arm and disarm monitoring systems remotely, among other things.
5. Monitoring software – This software comes with kits to use when you want to monitor your driveway by yourself. You can find software for iPhone, Android, or desktop computers. It also lets you watch footage from your cameras anywhere in the world via the internet or phone app, so you don’t have to sit in front of your TV or computer screen waiting for a break in security coverage to happen so that you can do something about it.
6. Voice intercom/strobe light – If you want to gain access to your system or communicate with people inside your property, you can use this component. It comes with a microphone and speaker so you can talk to anyone inside the property. It also features a strobe light that will flash when it’s time for visitors to enter your property if you’d like.
7. Push-button and keypad entry systems – You can manually disarm alarm system components if there’s an emergency or if you need to open an area of the house but don’t want the whole thing disarmed for security purposes.
8. Contact sensors – These components are placed outside of your property so they can detect if someone is tampering with your gate or door. They’ll send out an alert to you, so you can see if someone is trying to break in or just needs access for some reason.
9. Wired and wireless fence – This component is usually located above the ground, especially near areas with high grass or shrubs, so it’s not visible from inside the property. Keep in mind that if it’s wired, there will probably be a phone line coming out of it as well, which means you’ll need to figure out where to get phone service for the system as well.
10. Wireless keypads – If you’d rather not have to run a phone line to the front door or gate for your alarm system, these can be a very cost-effective option in some areas. They can be buried underneath shrubs, so they’re more difficult for intruders to find. However, you’ll probably need a phone line for the system to work properly.
11. Remote access protection – If you want your alarm system monitored but don’t want to spend hours away from home every day sitting by your computer or watching your television, there are other options available to you as well, such as remote access protection.
This is like a cell phone system you can use to check on your property, control the monitoring software and send alerts.
12. Extra components – Some systems may include exterior lights, strobe lights, remote beepers, sirens and many others that are not usually part of a driveway alarm package from the manufacturer. You may also want to get infrared motion detectors that will detect heat movements as well.
Conclusion
A driveway alarm system is great for home/business owners because it can alert them if there is any unwanted traffic on their property. It allows you to take action promptly and confront the intruder or thieves before they have time to steal anything important from your home/business.