Are you worried about your home’s security features? 

Well, you definitely need to think about installing a driveway alarm system. In fact, it should be number one on your homeowner’s checklist. 

Your alarm system is your frontline defense against intruders who are looking to steal from you or do harm to your family. These possibilities mean that it is essential you have sturdy security measures in place. 

A driveway alarm system can give you peace of mind that your home and your family are going to be protected. You understand this point in principle, but you might still be asking the question: Why is this the case?

This is exactly the question we are here to answer for you today. So let’s dive straight in and explain why a driveway alarm system needs to be at the top of your homeowners' security checklist. 

The Rise in Key Crime Statistics

The very first thing to consider when creating a homeowner's checklist for building a house is the crime rate in your area. While most crime rates are falling over time—and particularly violent crime—some crimes are rising.

In particular, the crime statistics you need to be aware of in creating your new homeowner checklist are those that relate to burglaries and car thefts. 

These crimes are both spiking in major cities across the US, as compared with the same time periods last year. For example, in New York, car theft has increased by 63% for the year so far, as compared with the same period in 2019. 

Also, burglaries are up in New York by 26% for the year as compared to the same period last year. 

It’s also not just New York residents that need to be aware of this. For example, in Philadelphia, commercial burglary has risen a massive 71% for the year, compared to last year. 

Of course, these numbers are not occurring everywhere. But as we head towards winter, any fall checklist for homeowners should have security at its forefront. 

Why an Alarm System Is Important on a Homeowner’s Checklist

An alarm system represents your very first line of defense against home intruders or would-be car thieves. A driveway alarm system does three things in particular that make it worthwhile on a new homeowner’s checklist. 

1. It Notifies You of People on Your Property

The first thing a driveway alarm system can do is make you aware of any possible threats. A driveway alarm can tell you that someone is on your property by either sending you a sound or light signal. 

You can also organize the system so you are notified even if you are not at home. Wireless alarm systems are good for this. 

Being aware of someone on your property will give you time to be prepared for any possible theft or home invasion attempt. Just having the system in place is going to give you peace of mind, knowing that no one can sneak up on you. 

2. It Can Activate a Security Camera

The great thing about a driveway alarm is that it can automatically switch on your security camera. Not all security cameras run 24/7, and it can be a lot more efficient to have them activated by sensors.

A driveway alarm system can work by first sensing someone on your property and then switching on the camera. This will mean that everything they do will be recorded and you will have a much better chance of catching them if they commit a crime.

Also, if criminals see that you have a camera, they will be much less likely to proceed with their criminal plans. 

3. It Can Scare Criminals Off

Even if you do not have a security camera, a driveway alarm can be effective in stopping crimes before they happen. In fact, all that is required for a driveway alarm to do this is to turn on a light. 

Lighting in general has been shown to cut crime significantly in urban areas. A study from 2018 actually found that increased lighting cut crime by a massive 39%. 

However, when a lighting system is attached to a security alarm, this can be significantly improved upon. When a light switches on, criminals suddenly have the feeling that they are being watched. The psychological impact of this is hard to overstate. 

They can’t slink around in the dark anymore, and they also become a lot more visible to you. Lighting will obviously also make your security camera work better if you have one.

You can go a step further and introduce an audio alarm that goes off when the motion sensor is triggered.

However, this alarm should not be very loud, since there are a lot of reasons why someone may just want to visit your house without being scared. Also, there’s no need in waking the neighborhood up just because a neighbor’s cat has gone for a nighttime stroll on your driveway.

The main point to remember, though, is that prevention is always better than reaction. Scare criminals away before they have a chance to do your property or family any harm!

Better Safe Than Sorry

When it comes to your homeowner’s checklist for security, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Even if crime figures are low in your area, there is always a chance that a criminal will target you, particularly if you don’t have security measures in place.

For this reason, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Get prepared early and don’t have any regrets after the fact.

Also, once you install a driveway alarm, remember that it should also be at the top of your homeowner's maintenance checklist. It won’t be valuable if it’s not charged and working properly!

If you are interested in installing a driveway alarm, make sure you get in touch with us today to work out what the best system is for you and your property. We are here to help!