In the United States, a burglary takes place every 15 seconds. 

This alone is reason enough to up your security measures, but the cost of home security can be unrealistic for many homeowners. So how can you go about ensuring a secure home and driveway without breaking the budget?

Follow along to discover 10 ways to improve your driveway safety and up your home security. 

1. Install a Gate

Depending on your budget, a gate can be a fantastic option for driveway security. Even if your gate is not climb-proof, the presence of a gate, in general, deters intruders from attempting to enter the property. Just be sure to use a sufficient lock if you choose a manual gate option. 

The benefit of a gate is that no one can get into your driveway before you do. This can prevent surprise attacks when getting out of your car and secure a solid perimeter around your home.  Beyond this, having visitors ring a bell outside the gate ensures you have a solid heads up before opening the door to strangers. 

If possible, an automatic gate is the most secure gate option for reduced intruders and an ultra-secure home. 

2. Keep Your Driveway Clear

Have you got a lot of overgrown shrubbery or places for intruders to hide along your driveway? Reduce your chances of being surprised by a burglar by keeping your driveway clear and visible. 

This may include parking cars in the garage, trimming back shrubbery, or even bringing the bins in after garbage pick up. 

Large bushes and trees are the perfect places for burglars to tuck out of sight so consider trading your top quality hiding spaces in for defensive plants such as thorny roses and deter intruders from hiding away along your driveway. 

3. Light It Up

Another simple and inexpensive way to increase your home security is to ensure your outdoor areas are well lit. Install a light above your garage, around corners, and anywhere that may provide a dark shadow for intruders to lurk in. If your surroundings are well lit, the intruder will have a higher chance of being spotted and therefore, move along to another target. 

Good lighting in your driveway can also ensure you have great visibility to spot any unusual activity when going from your car into your home. This can reduce surprise attacks and make you more comfortable when departing or arriving outside of peak sunlight hours. 

4. Update Your Garage

If you are still getting out of your car to open up your manual garage door, an automatic update could be in order. 

This is especially true if you tend to come home in the dark or around the same time every day. This routine can be easily spotted and when you get out of your car to lift the door, burglars and intruders have a perfect opportunity to strike. 

Invest in an automatic garage door opener that can be operated from inside your car. This way, you'll remain safe and protected by your vehicle while you pull your car into safety. Beyond this, you can close the door before you even exit the car to ensure no shadows can sneak in.

5. Install a Mirror

On the subject of garages, if an automatic opener is out of the budget right now or you want a little extra security, consider installing a well-placed mirror in your garage. 

Curved mirrors allow you to get a solid view of what's going on behind you without having to get out and look around. If someone happens to sneak in behind you, you'll be more equipped to defend yourself with the extra notice and awareness. 

6. Update Your Materials

Those ultra-smooth driveways may look nice but if your driveway and walkway are flat as a pancake, you may want to consider updating your materials. 

By using a mixture of rough materials such as gravel in your driveway and walkways, you'll be able to hear when someone is coming up the drive. 

While this sound may not travel far, the crunching of gravel under feet is pretty unmistakable when your carrying groceries from your car into your home and may very well save you from an unfortunate surprise. 

7. Install Cameras

If CCTV is within your budget, security cameras could be the perfect fix. Place your cameras in high-traffic areas and allow them to be visible. This lets burglars know you will catch them on film and deters them from wandering up your driveway. 

Not only are cameras a great deterrent, but they are an excellent insurance plan if you do happen to fall victim to intruders. The footage will help local authorities track down the criminals and help you prove the incident to your insurance coverage agency. 

8. Get a Driveway Alarm

If cameras are a touch out of reach, consider opting for a driveway alarm instead. These motion detector alarms alert you when unexpected visitors are making their way up your drive. This can give you extra time to defend, call the police, or take cover.

Driveway alarms are incredibly budget-friendly and come in many different forms from solar to motion or even rubber hose. 

9. Add Signage

Even the indication of a home security system or surveillance cameras can deter intruders from attempting theft. Even if you can't afford to install any security measures, placing a sign in your windows and yard as though you do is a great workaround. 

This could be as simple as a 'secure home' sign or as sneaky as a fake security camera above your garage. 

10. Practice Driveway Awareness

Last but certainly not least, practice common sense and spatial awareness for driveway safety. This could include asking your family members to turn the lights on before you get home, keeping your car doors locked, and even carrying a light or self-defense spray on your car keys. 

Your Safe and Secure Home

Now that you know these 10 budget-friendly fixes for your driveway safety, it's time to take action. From installing brighter lights to fooling burglars off with fake cameras, you can rest assured knowing you've got a secure home and driveway. 

Want to get your hands on the most affordable driveway security alarms and systems? Shop our selection of driveway security options today and ensure a safe home for your loved ones