Motion sensor alarms are not only more common, but are more tuned to everyday life. With varying capabilities and price ranges, they are easily accessible and provide real and hoped for security for increasing numbers of homes, cars, workplaces, public spaces and even driveways and roads. In Southern California, in the early 1990s when motion detectors became common on many cars and as aftermarket equipment as part of alarm systems, manufacturers discovered they had to tweak the devices. When a large earthquake struck – followed by aftershocks – the alarms triggered by motion detectors eventually became more disruptive than the shaking.
When they became more common as part of home alarm systems, owners of pets were warned to keep their dogs and cats away from the windows and doors which were wired to detect motion and set off alarms. As a result, the alarm companies lost a lot of business because it was virtually impossible to keep pets away from windows or doors and still have them protected. That was then. Today, the devices are so sophisticated that many of them are triggered when they are supposed to go off. Some of the most sophisticated are used in museums, art galleries and even private homes to monitor priceless artworks and other possessions. They are designed for admirers to get close to examine the works, but any inappropriate movements – such as trying to touch the works or move them – set off warnings ranging from signals to security guards to noisy alarms.
The most basic motion sensor alarms for the home are available for less than $20 and are sold at drug stores, electronic outlets and online. These are basically noisemakers, and the range of sounds ranges from offensive decibel levels to silly. The theory, of course, is that any noise will deter an intruder who will, hopefully, think, “Why go here and call attention to myself…when I can go elsewhere with no alarm noise?” The museum quality alarms – available through limited retailers and alarm and security companies – can easily cost thousands of dollars, plus monitoring costs. In addition to on-site security, these are often wired to alarm or security systems, so more aid can be mobilized quickly if any wrong moves are detected. Many devices today are portable, to be moved between the car and home to do double duty. These are in the $50 range. Another option is dummy cameras with working motion detectors, which can cost between $20 and $100. These look effective, but are more bark than bite. People can’t put a price on security, but cost of emotional security can be very reasonable today. Visit motion sensor alarms or motion detector alarms for further information.