The Budget-Friendly Tiny Gadget That May Be Able To Keep Your Home Safer

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Choosing the best security systems for your home can be more complicated than you think. Intruders are always coming up with new ways to break into your peaceful haven, and older, more conventional methods of safety are constantly going out of date. For instance, there are hidden downsides to doorbell cameras, from security breaches to hacks. Giant security cameras, on the other hand, warrant way too much attention to actually be a threat to intruders. If you want to be a step ahead of the burglars, it is about time you entered "stealth mode." 

Vibration sensors may be the way to go. They are so small that you (or perpetrators) might not realize they are even there, but powerful enough to detect the smallest of tremors in your home surroundings. Although the gadget may sound like it's straight from a James Bond flick, you don't need intelligence agencies to back you up for these devices either: these gadgets cost less than $20.

Vibration sensors are tiny, discreet gadgets used for home security (alongside other applications in healthcare, industrial settings, and businesses) that can detect impacts and shocks in their vicinity and give warning signals about these occurrences. They work through different kinds of detectors, such as accelerometers or seismic detectors, all of which are adept at sensing movement and triggering a response by converting the mechanical motion into electrical signals. When these sensors are placed on entry points like windows and doors — or places that are vulnerable to breakages, like safes — they can quickly sense any unusual activity and alert homeowners. 

Vibration sensors can be very handy when it comes to giving you a head start against intruder activity. A lot of these gadgets are well equipped at picking up low-frequency motions, which originate from heavy impacts like blows from a sledgehammer. Whatever the source of the impulse, when it goes beyond a certain threshold (which can be easily set up beforehand in a lot of these devices), vibration sensors can inform homeowners with loud sirens or send notifications to their phones or to a security center. Therefore, you can be aware of the disturbance and act accordingly before a burglary is completed.

However, does this mean you would be hearing loud sirens every time the cat passes through the mail slot, as well? Not really, since many of these devices are adjustable, so that you can set up the exact level of vibration at which you want the alarms to go off. You can also mute these devices so that they only send you notifications on the phone when triggered. If you're looking for an alarm along these lines, THIRDREALITY's Zigbee Vibration Sensor has adjustable sensitivity and should do the trick.

A number of these vibration sensors are compatible with your smart security systems as well. That being said, they are much cheaper when bought as standalone items and work just as fine; in fact, you can easily get them for around $20. Their small size (often one to three inches in diameter) means they can also easily blend in with the surroundings and even add to your decor in some cases.

Setting vibration sensors up on doors and windows is an obvious no-brainer. Unfortunately, burglars and perpetrators are constantly adapting to new security systems, rather than just entering through doors or windows, which they know might be protected. Making your home safer starts with asking yourself one simple question: how would a burglar try to get into my house? Placing vibration sensors at all these spots (at specific distances to cover the entire area) can be a good move to secure these entry points as well.

Moreover, your house is full of valuable possessions, memories, and artworks. Not all of them are directly protected against theft. Apart from doors, windows, and walls, these little sensors can step in to add an extra layer of safety to your indoor possessions as well. Drawers and safes, more often than not, are places where people keep a lot of their sensitive information. When they fall into the wrong hands, they can risk identity theft and financial fraud. You can simply attach a vibration sensor to your drawers to monitor suspicious activities.

Having said that, vibration sensors can be just as useful for outdoor settings as well. You can enhance your perimeter safety by installing seismic vibration sensors on fences; they will detect activities like walking, running, digging, or someone trying to cut through the fence. Just be sure to adjust the sensitivity settings so that squirrels don't trigger your alarms all night.