JUMP TO: 1. Lock Your Doors and Windows | 2. Illuminate Your Garage Area | 3. Use Security Sensors or Video Monitoring | 4. Cover or Frost Your Garage Windows | 5. Keep Your Garage Door Closed | 6. Invest in a New Automatic Garage Door Opener | 7. Bring Keys and Other Valuables Inside | 8. Install Home Access Control Systems | 9. Contact Lloyd Security for Home Security
According to a Minnesota police department, there was a 14.9% increase in crimes against property in 2020, like burglary, robbery, motor vehicle theft and similar offenses. The front door, back door and windows of a house are the top three spots people aim to secure from break-ins, but you have one more place to consider. It’s crucial to think about how to improve garage security to keep your entire home safe. Your garage can be the weakest link in your home security system.
Your garage is unoccupied. With attached garages, the area gives access to your home. This space holds many re-sellable possessions like tools, golf clubs, high-end bikes and other items burglars love. The police advise homeowners to lock vehicle doors and roll up the windows, even when parked in their garage. While these precautions will increase neighborhood safety and decrease auto theft, you can consider additional actions to improve your garage security and protect your entire property.
The following tips for a secure garage will give you peace of mind within your home and whenever you’re away.
1. Lock Your Doors and Windows
A secure home often starts with always remembering to lock doors and windows, including ones in your garage. It’s incredible to hear about how burglars can enter a house while never breaking into a property – they walk through an unlocked service or garage door without any prevention. Follow this straightforward tip and remember to lock all access points. For added security, install high-quality door locks and deadbolts on your service door and your home entrance to the garage.
2. Illuminate Your Garage Area
Bright lights in the vicinity of your garage can deter burglars from pursuing your home. The light will make potential intruders feel exposed in front of any neighbors, image sensors or live and recorded video you may use. Make sure the light is out of reach from any burglar who might attempt to deactivate it.
Install lights around the entry points to your garage and the garage door itself. You can set these lights on a timer, which is particularly useful if you’re out for the evening or away on vacation. Consider sensor lights, as well, that turn on when someone passes by them to deter would-be burglars.
3. Use Security Sensors or Video Monitoring
Image sensors will improve your security by capturing pictures whenever the sensor detects motion. Alternatively, you could install CCTV system monitoring and use live and recorded video to discourage intruders from targeting your house. Live video can track and prevent burglary, while recorded video can prove theft.
4. Cover or Frost Your Garage Windows
Conceal the contents of your garage from prying eyes by ensuring potential intruders can’t see through your garage windows. Burglars are known to look into windows to see any high-value items in plain sight. Windows allow burglars to see what items you may have inside your garage and determine the value of targeting your home. Cover or frost your garage windows and dissuade potential intruders from setting a target on your vehicle, power tools or other high-end items.
You can utilize integrated shades on other windows of your home for added security. Close your window shades using an app whenever you’re away from home or leave a particular room. Burglars who can’t tell when your house is empty or see what high-end items it may contain will typically leave your home be.
5. Keep Your Garage Door Closed
Leaving your garage open can allow any person driving by a full view of your possessions. Keep your garage door closed at all times to increase your garage door security. A burglar needs a couple of minutes to take what they need from your garage — don’t give them that chance!
An extra garage security door tip is to ensure the door closes. Gaps in your door allow burglars to see the contents, plan break-ins and gain physical access into your garage. Properly close and lock your door every time.
Any items that block or move across an automatic garage door sensor will prevent it from closing and cause your door to stop partway or reopen entirely. Watch until your automatic door completes its descent before going inside your home or pulling out of your driveway.
6. Invest in a New Automatic Garage Door Opener
Automatic garage door openers make everyday life easier, but you’ll need a modern one to keep your garage door secure. Burglars are known to use “code grabbers,” an electronic device that records the radio signal transmitted from your remote to older opener models. This device gives potential intruders the same access you have to your garage.
New garage door openers use “rolling code” technology instead, meaning your remote transmits a brand new code every time you use it. Your garage remains protected from “code grabbers” that can no longer detect a consistent code. Certain systems may allow you to control your automatic door from a mobile device, a safe and easy alternative to standard openers.
7. Bring Keys and Other Valuables Inside
This tip is probably the most prominent security mistake many people make. After parking your car in the garage, you might leave the keys and other valuables in your vehicle. Bringing your keys and valuables inside can limit what a potential burglar can take from you. Most people keep more than just the car key on their keyring. Remember, when you leave your keys in the car, you give burglars a path from your vehicle to your house, your office or wherever else you have keys for.
In addition to taking your keys and valuables inside, you should also bring your opener remote into your house. Many people like to keep their opener remote inside their car for ease of use, but it’s not necessarily wise to make this a habit. This tip is especially crucial if you park your car in the driveway.
When you keep the opener inside a vehicle parked outside of your garage, you risk providing burglars with entry into your home. A potential intruder can break into your car, take the remote and open your garage. Until you replace the entire opener system, your home will not have a secure garage door and be vulnerable to future theft.
8. Install Home Access Control Systems
You can utilize most of these garage door security tips whether or not your house has an automated home security system. But installing an access control system that allows full command over your home’s security will provide added safety and efficiency to your current setup.
Go beyond the lock-and-key system with a complete security solution for your home. Control any door in your house using a computer or mobile device for keyless entry, and experience peace of mind knowing your house is protected even when you are far away.
With smartphones and related technology, specific home automation systems allow people to monitor their home security from anywhere. Mobile control of your house or control through a similar device with the security application will reassure you that everything is protected and warn you when it’s not. Smart Schedules, arming reminders and custom alerts tailor your safety protocols to meet your individual needs.
9. Contact Lloyd Security for Home Security
At Lloyd Security, we specialize in residential security systems and offer various high-tech products to help you secure your home and garage. Whether you want to feel protected at home with motion sensors, security cameras or a home access control system, Lloyd Security has what you need for improved garage security and peace of mind.
Follow the above tips to make your garage more secure and avoid becoming a garage theft statistic. For a free evaluation of your garage and home security, contact us today!