How to Secure a Home with a Long Driveway or Large Garden

A home security system covers many different types of properties and locations. We talk about city and town home security a lot, but equally important is the protection required at rural homes, farms, and those properties that are in remote locations. This guide will look at a few of the different factors you must consider, and provide the solutions to protect driveways, large gardens, rural homes, and farms, giving you complete control and peace of mind that your property is safe.

What are the challenges of rural property security?

Evaluating the specific needs of your home security changes when you live in a rural location. There are several challenges that living in a remote or isolated location brings with it when directly compared to urban home security. Home security for farmers and rural home owners help provide peace of mind.

• Isolation – some rural properties are situated in remote locations, where the nearest neighbour might be miles away. This leaves large parts of land around the property as unwatchable, leaving potential spots where criminals can easily break in.
• A lack of law enforcement – the distance away from law enforcement means that there is naturally a longer waiting time for emergency services to respond to any event, whether that is a medical emergency or a break-in.
• Poor connectivity – historically, there has been a lack of high-speed, reliable internet connections in rural areas, which can make it difficult to install modern, smart home security products.

Despite these challenges there are some incredible products and services available that can significantly improve rural home security in Ireland.

Tips for home security with a long driveway or large garden

Whether you have a rural property that you live in, or you are a farmer with not only a home but your business on site, there are challenges to overcome in terms of security. For those properties that are remote, isolated, and have either, or both, a long driveway or a large garden, there are some tips to be aware of:

Long driveway

• Motion-sensor lighting – motion sensor lighting can switch on whenever there is a vehicle approaching the gate or can illuminate the entire driveway. This is beneficial when you are entering the home or to see who is at the front gate.
• Driveway alarms – alarm systems can be triggered at nighttime or whenever you are away from home, alerting you to vehicles entering the driveway when there shouldn’t be anyone there.
• Visible CCTV with night vision – CCTV with night vision gives you access to a live-feed of vulnerable areas along your driveway. Visible camera systems also act as a deterrent.
• Automated gates – automated gates allow you to stay safe within your home and only buzz in and open the gate to the driveway for vehicles that you know are safe.
• Gravel to create noise – if you make the surface of the driveway from gravel it will always make a noise whenever there is a vehicle approaching or someone on foot, a natural audio alert system.
• Remove hiding spots – don’t have any tall plants or shrubbery along the sides of the driveway, as this could provide a hiding spot for criminals attempting to reach your home.

A long driveway can look the part, but with these tips you can add safety processes that give you peace of mind.

Large gardens

• Motion-sensor security lighting – motion sensor lighting alerts you to movement outside and also acts as a deterrent to people who do not want to be seen.
• CCTV around side access points – smart security cameras and CCTV systems that are linked to your home alarm system can cover potential vulnerable areas and those points that are out of your sight from the main house.
• Large fencing – large fencing makes it more difficult for people to climb over into your large garden when they think that they are out of sight of the main building.
• Low Shrubbery to prevent hiding spots – if there is someone in your garden illegally, removing hiding spots for them is crucial. Low shrubbery and plants gives you a garden aesthetic that is nice to look at, without creating a natural hiding space for criminals.
• Secure outbuildings – if you have outbuildings that are out of sight, ensure that you have the latest locks and additional security cameras or alarms to make sure they are difficult to break into.
• Thorny plants are a natural barrier – plants and shrubbery that are prickly and can cause injury to people who attempt to climb through or over them can act as a great deterrent to criminals on the edge of a large garden.
• Top and bottom locks on gates – ensuring any gates that you have on the perimeter of the property are secure is vital for your peace of mind. Here is a guide to securing back and side gates that take on importance when discussing remote properties.

These security tips will help you protect your home if you have a large garden.

General tips for rural home security

Whether you have a long driveway, large garden, or you own a farm, the above security tips are only as good as the home security products and systems that you have installed. Fully integrated smart home alarm systems are beneficial, as it brings the different products together in one fully intuitive, simple-to-use system that you can track and manage remotely.

Rural Home Security

If you are ready to discuss the security of your rural home, you are in the right place. Network Security has experience in helping farmers and those with rural properties to improve their home security with the use of modern, smart home security products. You’ll have peace of mind and remote access to monitor all areas of your property and land. If you have a long driveway, a large garden, or outbuildings out of sight, we’re here to help. Contact us today to get a free security consultation. Our team will help you protect your rural home.