The Best Ways to Make Your Own Home Alarm System

Homemade System

• To make a homemade alarm system, gather the necessary materials including a 9-volt battery and holder, thumbtacks, flexible wire, electrical tape, a wooden clothespin, sharp knife and a small electrical buzzer. Cut a small piece of insulation off each end of the wire, and then connect them using electrical tape to the battery holder. Connect the buzzer using the same method and another piece of wire. Then cut one wire in two, strip the ends of insulation and use thumbtacks to connect each end to the mouth of the clothes hanger. Attach the battery, open the clothespin and place it in between the door and frame. When someone opens the door, the buzzer should sound. If not, check all connections. Repeat for each window and door you want to secure.

Advantages

• The main advantage to a homemade alarm system is the savings. Alarm systems can cost hundreds of dollars to install, plus a regular monthly fee to operate. Building your own costs about $10 per entry way as of 2011 with no additional fees except for occasional battery replacement.

Disadvantages

• There are a few disadvantages to making your own alarm system. While the savings are great, the quality of the alarm system itself is nothing compared to the sophistication offered by professional systems. In addition, your homemade alarm system will not automatically notify police or emergency personnel of a break in. It merely sounds an alarm as an attempt to scare intruders away. A professional system offers much more security by automatically alerting proper authorities of your situation.

Nature's Alarm System

• When in doubt, buy a dog. Dogs are not for everyone, but they are a good, natural security system. Many dogs bark on instinct whenever people come to your door, or whenever there is a noise or disturbance in the house. Dogs can also be trained to bark whenever someone comes near the house.

Signs

• Another easy security system is to put up signs in your yard or entryway indicating that the home is protected by a security system or a dog. Even if you have neither, you can put up these signs, which you can buy online or in home improvement stores, resembling professional security system companies but are really just generic signs warning intruders. Some intruders might not be fooled, but most would probably not take the risk and will pass on trying to break in.

Lights

• Install a light timer to turn lights on and off at a specific time. Install a motion detector that automatically turns on interior or exterior lights when someone walks past the sensor. The lights might deter intruders who are fearful of breaking in when someone is home or awake.