Wow!! How simple is that?! GREAT idea, Westelle, and thanks for sharing. Brenda

I'd try your local Radio Shack.

It's a good idea and it would probably scare off an intruder, I think. I would test it though, to make sure it'll work from your bedroom to the garage. I keep my keys in the car, which is probably not smart, but it's locked into the garage which is right under our house so if the garage door goes up we know it instantly. The four dogs (big, mean and scary sounding) would let us know if anything was happening that we weren't aware of. Do you ever watch "It Takes a Thief"? It's about home protection and one of the biggest things the thieves worry about is barking dogs. They target homes that don't have any of them. So obviously, noise is a huge factor.

Michael, your lawn sounds nice -- a large stand of a single grass type, kept green mostly year round, with kids to play on it! They can be pretty! As long as you are a responsible gardener (and I have no reason to think you are not), no problem. It's the over-application of fertilizers and weed and pest control products by irresponsible owners that cause problems for the larger environment. Now personally, I appreciate a more relaxed lawn with a variety of grasses and weeds in it. Clover for bees; dandelions for rabbits; worms, grubs and insects for the birds, etc. DH supports my taking up lawn in favor of low maintenance native plant beds. But my dog insists on keeping enough lawn for a good game of frisbee, so we'll always have some "grass" area. Just not maintained to your level. You are "required" to have a lawn? By a Home Owners Association?