Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Turn your doorknob into a security system with an alarm that you hang on it

By Lulu Chang September 21, 2016

sabre door handle alarm screen shot 2016 09 21 at 2 00 50 pm — Image used with permission by copyright holder

If the sound of someone jiggling your doorknob absolutely petrifies you, then a new device that’s aimed at scaring off potential intruders may be just what you’re looking for. Sabre, a company known best for its pepper spray, also has a Home Series that helps keep houses, hotels, dorms, and more secure. Its latest product, the Door Handle Alarm, offers a smart, new way to “provide added security and peace of mind when at home or on the road.”

It’s a simple concept, to be sure, but it just might be loud enough to be effective. The 110-decibel Door Handle Alarm is claimed to be audible up to 600 feet away, and needs only to be hung over your doorknob inside your room or house. If someone attempts to make an unauthorized entrance, the alarm detects these vibrations and sounds off — loudly. And because it uses AAA batteries, you’ll be protected even when the power goes out.

“Not everyone can afford the price tag that comes with a full home security system,” said Sabre CEO David Nance. “We’re excited to be able to give our customers a product that’s not just affordable, but also effective at helping them stay safe.”

The Door Handle Alarm features three adjustable settings – off mode; chime mode, which alerts the user when children or guests open and shut the door; and alarm mode, which comes with a 30-second activation delay to prevent immediate false triggering. And because the alarm is portable and lightweight, you can take it with you when you’re traveling.

“We understand how important it is to feel safe in your own home – as well as in a hotel, dorm or other temporary lodging,” said Nance. “Which is why we’ve made our Door Handle Alarm the most practical portable alert system on the market.”

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…

Smart Home

Using your security camera’s local storage? Here’s how much space you’ll need

Wyze Cam microSD update

Smart security cameras can store and stream incredibly high-resolution video to help you keep an eye on what's happening around your home. The stored video means you can look back at activity from throughout the day, especially if the camera caught motion while you were away from your phone.

Local storage comes with a host of benefits, but you will typically need a MicroSD card. The question becomes what size do you need, as well as how much footage you intend to store. Different cameras store footage at different levels, but there are several things you need to consider.
Resolution vs. time
When deciding how much storage capacity you need, you first need to consider resolution and recording length.

Smart Home

Secure your property with this top-rated driveway alarm from Amazon

Guardline Driveway Alarm

If you're concerned about the security of your home, garage, and property, a great option is a Guardline wireless driveway alarm. This easy to set up and use system doesn't require any monthly contract or a Wi-Fi or telephone connection. Plus, it is versatile enough to be used on any area of your property where you might be concerned about intruders.

A Guardline wireless driveway alarm kit comes with everything you need to secure your property and is significantly cheaper than an outdoor security camera system capable of covering the same area. It uses passive infrared technology to detect motion as well as heat to protect against false alarms. It also has an adjustable sensitivity level. Plus, this system is expandable; you can have up to 16 sensors (four in each of four zones) as well as additional receivers to place in different areas of your home so you don't miss an alert.

News

Clever new A.I. system promises to train your dog while you’re away from home

finding rover facial recognition app dog face big eyes

One of the few good things about lockdown and working from home has been having more time to spend with pets. But when the world returns to normal, people are going to go back to the office, and in some cases that means leaving dogs at home for a large part of the day, hopefully with someone coming into your house to let them out at the midday point.

What if it was possible for an A.I. device, like a next-generation Amazon Echo, to give your pooch a dog-training class while you were away? That’s the basis for a project carried out by researchers at Colorado State University. Initially spotted by Chris Stokel-Walker, author of YouTubers:How YouTube Shook Up TV and Created a New Generation of Stars, and reported by New Scientist, the work involves a prototype device that’s able to give out canine commands, check to see if they’re being obeyed, and then provide a treat as a reward when they are.