How to Make a Cheap Alarm

A cheap alarm is perfect for those who can’t afford to purchase security systems but want a defense mechanism against possible perpetrators. This is a quick, easy and affordable way to make an alarm. All you need are a few household items.

Cardboard
Clothespin
Rubber bands
Paper clips
Push pin thumbtack
AA battery
Battery holder
Thread
Aluminum pie pan
3VDC mini-buzzer

Instructions

- 1
  Cut out a 4-inch square from the cardboard. Save a small piece of thin cardboard. Place the AA battery holder on the piece of cardboard. Punch four equally spaced holes around it.
- 2
  Insert the rubber band up through the first hole and down into the hole below it. Secure the rubber band with one of the medium-sized paper clips. Repeat this for the other two holes. Place the AA battery into the holder. Move it into the two rubber bands so that it is secure.
- 3
  Use the clothespin and trace its top half onto the aluminum plate (do this twice). Cut both images out of the plate. Use the thumb tack to poke a hole on the top of each outline. Tape the aluminum pieces to the inside of the clothespin, one on each jaw of the clothes pin.
- 4
  Place the clothespin next to the secured battery holder. Make a hole on both sides of the clothespin. Insert your last rubber band through these holes and secure it with the medium-sized paper clip. Insert the clothespin into the rubber band.
- 5
  Put the buzzer next to the clothespin. Poke a hole on both sides using the thumb tack. Extend the large paper clip and insert each end into the holes around the buzzer. Secure the paper clip and buzzer by bending the clip’s ends to the cardboard.
- 6
  Cut a 1-inch square from the thin cardboard. Use the thumb tack to poke a hole near the top of the square. Insert the thread through the hole and secure it by tying a knot. Use the other end of the thread to tie a knot around the thumb tack.
- 7
  Insert the black wire from the battery holder into the small hole on the aluminum outline. Do the same with the other black wire through the second outline. Place the small piece of cardboard into the jaws of the clothespin.
- 8
  Tie the battery holder’s two red wires together. Use duct tape to secure the alarm to any surface. Insert the thumbtack into the wall next to a door in a way that so when the door is opened, the alarm will be triggered.
- 9
  Test the alarm by opening the door. If an alarm sounds when the door is opened, you have successfully made a cheap alarm.

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