Burglary is building across the United States. Almost one million burglaries took place in the country in 2019. More than 300,000 businesses were affected.
It is essential that you take immediate steps to improve the safety of your business. But you don’t need to break the bank in order to do so. Driveway alarms are a cheap and easy tool to increase your security.
What businesses must get driveway alarms? What different alarm systems are there? How can you incorporate an alarm into your system, and what should you do when yours goes off? Use this article as A Guide to Using Driveway Alarms for Your Business.
Answer these questions and you can maintain your security for years to come. Here is your quick guide.
Determine Your Security Needs
Before you make any changes to your security system, you should evaluate how your security is currently functioning. Look into the alarm system in your business, and test the locks on your doors and windows.
Think about what threats you need to prevent. Thieves may try to break into your building, but you may encounter theft from your own employees. Talk to your employees about what they encounter, and touch base with a security professional.
As the name suggests, driveway alarms indicate when a threat is approaching a roadway. It is best for businesses that rely on roadways for their operations, including for deliveries. It is also great for businesses located near backroads, which are common sites for criminal activities.
A driveway alarm has a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is what detects motion or heat and then sends a signal to the receiver. The receiver is what notifies you that a threat is approaching your business.
This means that there has to be minimal interference between the two components. Other signals can throw the receiver off. This also means that you must put the receiver in a location where you can hear the driveway motion alarm.
Pick the Right Driveway Alarm System
There are three main kinds of driveway alarms. A rubber hose alarm activates when a person or vehicle applies pressure to the hose. It triggers a loud chime or bell that you can hear while you stand inside your business.
An infrared alarm senses heat or motion. It can detect people and their vehicles, but a false alarm can get triggered if an animal runs across its path. You must put yours at an angle where animals cannot reach it.
A magnetic probe alarm triggers when it detects moving metal. This is perfect if you are concerned about unwanted vehicles. You can bury a probe underground, and it can last for years with minimal maintenance.
You may have heard of a wireless driveway alarm. This is any type of driveway alarm that is not connected to anything.
If you need to spread your sensors apart from your alarm, you should invest in a wireless device. You can get a solar driveway alarm that powers itself through a small panel.
You can add accessories to your alarm like a strobe light or speaker. You can also change the noise of your alarm.
Incorporate Driveway Alarms Into Your Security System
Driveway alarms are one component of your security system. You should follow several distinct business security tips.
Some thieves will be deterred when they hear a business’s alarm go off. But others may hide nearby or try to rush into your building.
You can place security cameras along your roadway. Connect them to a monitor inside your office so you can see if anyone is approaching without going near your windows.
Install shatterproof glass on your doors and windows. It is essential that you do this for any windows that face your roadway. Put blinds over the windows to prevent a thief from seeing into your building.
Move important objects toward the center of your office. Financial documents and hard assets should go into a safe. If you sell weapons like guns or knives, they should be secured in cases located away from the windows.
Tell only a few people that you are installing driveway alarms. An employee may leak the information to a thief, which they can use to modify their plan to break into your business. The more secretive your system is, the more effective it will be.
Respond to an Alarm
Don’t panic if your driveway alarm goes off. Take a look at your security cameras, or look out your window if you are close to the road.
If you don’t see anything, wait for a minute to see what happens next. You may have a false alarm, but a thief may be triggering your alarm to lure you out of your building. Tell your employees to remain calm and secure important objects.
If you do have a security threat, evacuate to a place where you will be safe. This may mean that you will have to hide somewhere in your office.
Get to that location immediately and call 911. Remain silent until help arrives. Your alarm may draw someone else to your business, and you can ask them for help if they are okay.
Drive Away Thieves With Driveway Alarms
Driveway alarms are a great tool for easy security. If you are located near roadways or reliant on deliveries, you should get at least one alarm.
Rubber hose alarms are perfect for any business looking for simple technology. Infrared alarms detect movement, while magnetic alarms are best for detecting vehicles.
Use your alarms as one part of your general security system. Take them seriously and respond promptly when they go off.
Don’t hesitate to secure your business. 1800doorbell.com provides the best alarms at the click of a button. Contact us today.
