Driveway Security Warnings

It's better to identify an intruder on your driveway than inside your home.

Including your driveway in your home security system can give you an advantage over intruders. Even if you have an alarm on your front or rear door, you won't know that intruders are there until the moment they are entering your house. An alarm that alerts you as soon as someone enters your property gives you more time to respond.

Signs

If you value your privacy and don't want to be disturbed in your home, the most basic way of accomplishing this is to post signs to that effect at the entrance to your driveway. Signs serve as security alerts to potential intruders rather than the owners of the property. They can range from polite requests to respect your privacy to threats of prosecution for trespassers. If you should experience a subsequent conflict with a trespasser, you will be on much stronger legal ground if you can prove that there was a clearly posted sign prohibiting that person from entering your property.

Deterrence

A stronger deterrent for potential trespassers that can easily be incorporated into your driveway is a motion-activated alarm. This can be a loud siren or bell and/or floodlights that go on when they sense someone entering the driveway. A drawback to this system, particularly if you live out in the country, is that it may be frequently tripped by deer or raccoons. Human intruders, particularly if they have less-than-honorable intentions for your property, are likely to be quickly deterred by the noise and commotion of a driveway alarm system.

Owner Alerts

Driveway alarm systems are easily connected to the inside of your home to alert you when a person or vehicle is entering your driveway. These can be useful simply so that you know when someone is approaching and can prepare . By attaching an in-house alert system to your driveway sensor without an alarm at the driveway, you can alert yourself to the presence of intruders without them knowing that you are aware of them. In extreme circumstances, this can provide you with the opportunity for escape, if that is necessary.

Driveway Security System Tips

If you have a long driveway, place the security system at your property line, far from your house. This will increase the time lag between when you are alerted to intruders and when they arrive at your house. Place your mailbox outside of the security system so that you aren't disturbed every time your mail is delivered. Install a cutoff switch so that you can turn the system on and off as conditions warrant.

References

• First Alert: Driveway Sensor Alerts
• Surveillance for Security: Driveway Sensor Alarms