Garage Security: Tips to Prevent Garage Break-Ins

The following contribution is from another author.

Many people spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, securing their home and car with high-quality security measures. However, they often forget about the garage, thinking that it’s not as important as the rest of the house. That’s a mistake.

According to the statistics, the garage is actually one of the most common entry points for burglars. Why exactly? Well, this allows them to not only take all the valuables stored in there, but it also gives them easy access to the rest of the house.

Having the security cameras outside the property is just the beginning – there’s a lot more that you, as a homeowner, need to do in order to keep yourself and your family safe. How can you do that? Well, that’s what we’ll be talking about in this article. So, let’s just get started.

Update Your Garage Door

If your garage door is old, and you can see how much it has been through, it’s finally time to update it. A garage door that has faded paint, is warped, or is far from providing you with the best garage door seal is not only damaging your house’s curb appeal, but it is also a security liability.

The older and more damaged the garage door is, the easier it will be for the burglar to break into the garage.

So, to make sure your garage door is secure, you need to replace it – preferably with one that is sturdy and can hold up under blunt force. Nowadays, there is a wide selection of styles and colors available on the market. One of the most popular options is a steel door – mainly due to its durability. Then, once you have chosen your new garage door, establish contact with a huntsville garage door company (or one in your area) in order for them to professionally install it. You should never take on such tasks yourself unless you possess the necessary expertise.

Don’t Leave the Garage Remote in Your Car When It Is Parked Outside

Even though it might look like the most convenient option, it is also very unsafe – especially if it’s placed somewhere in plain sight. Remember that if someone has in mind to break into your garage, they will probably observe your house for a few days prior and will take note of it.

The truth is that the garage remote is the only thing a thief needs to effortlessly enter your garage – they won’t even need to actually break-in. They’ll just open the door. So, if you don’t want to find yourself a victim of a break-in, keep the remote hidden – preferably in the house, with your regular set of keys.

Don’t Leave the Garage Door Open

Although it might sound like a no-brainer, it looks like many people forget about it – especially when they are doing something in the garage and are going inside the house for a few moments. It just makes the burglar’s job a lot easier, as they can enter the garage without a problem, take what they want, and run.

Thankfully, there are some devices that can help you with that. For instance, the new garage openers often give you the opportunity to control it remotely on your phone, meaning that if you ever forget to close the garage door, you just need to press a few buttons on your smartphone.

Think About Your Outdoor Lighting

A house that is not appropriately lighted on the outside becomes an attractive target for the burglars, as they have a higher chance of not being seen while committing the crime.

Among popular choices nowadays, you can find motion-activated lighting. Of course, sometimes it might turn on accidentally when an animal walks by. However, this happens rarely. Generally speaking, this is one of the most effective ways to protect your home – both in terms of costs and how it works.

When installing such light, remember to place it strategically around your garage. Place it somewhere higher so that the burglar won’t be able to deactivate it.

Some Other Tips

Although the things we mentioned above are probably the most important ones, there are several smaller ones that you can do to make sure your garage is as secure as possible.

• Install a peephole in the door between your garage and the rest of the house – although it’s not really something that will prevent the break-ins, at least you’ll be able to see what is going on inside the garage if you hear any suspicious sounds.
• Don’t neglect maintenance – keep an eye on all the metal parts of your garage door so that you can act fast when you notice corrosion. Also, don’t forget to check the door between your garage and your house.
• Secure the door when you’re out of town – if you don’t have a manual lock on your garage door, don’t worry, as there are other solutions. For instance, you can use c-clamps – just tighten them on each side of the door. They will serve as a lock.
• Take care of the garage windows – if you have windows in your garage door, you are actually doing the thieves a favor, as they’ll be able to see what is inside your garage and determine what things they can take. What’s more, they will also be able to see whether your car is parked, meaning you’re in the house or your vehicle is gone. So, consider covering your garage windows, and if you still want the natural light to come in, you can frost them.

The Bottom Line

Break-ins happen – everyone can find themselves a victim of it. However, it doesn’t mean that you should just wait for your turn and do nothing. Quite the contrary – you should make sure that your house is as secure as possible.

There are several ways to do it. You can replace your old garage door or install new, motion-activated exterior lighting. At the same time, you also need to remember not to keep your garage remote anywhere visible, and make sure to always lock the door.

We hope that after reading this article, you have a better understanding of what it takes to make your garage secure and maybe even implement some of the things we mentioned into your own home. Good luck!