Many homes have security systems installed on the main doors of their house but neglect to secure their garage doors. This article will discuss security tips you can apply to help keep your home safe so keep reading!
To protect your garage and secure your home, keep your garage doors and windows closed and install a garage door lock that’s resistant to damage from forced entry. You should also safeguard your garage by installing motion sensor lights, alarm systems, and security cameras.
Your garage is not the most glamorous part of the house, but it is a vital part of your home. It is where you keep all your cars, car-related accessories, tools, etc. In this article, we will examine twelve different security tips and strategies that will help protect both your garage and your home.
12 Garage Security Tips To Keep Your Home Safe
A garage, especially an attached garage, is a vulnerability that burglars can exploit and ransack when left unsecured. A properly secured garage will give you peace of mind both when you are on the premises and when you are not. It will also keep you, your family, and your valuables safe and secure.
The following are tips you should employ to secure your garage and your home, by extension:
Close the Doors
It might seem basic and a no-brainer, but closing the door to your garage is the foremost thing you can do to keep it safe. Your garage door is the first line of defense and should always be closed when not in use.
Most garage doors are opened and closed an average of 1,500 times each year, which provides potential burglars many chances to strike. Leaving your garage doors wide open is akin to sending an invitation to burglars. None of the other tips will help much if your garage door isn’t locked.
If you often leave your garage door open, consider installing a door sensor or an automatic door closer. The garage door sensor can indicate when your garage door is open. A door closer automatically closes the door once it has been open for a certain amount of time.
Ensure That all Entry Points are Secure
All entry points to the garage should be kept safe and secure. That includes your primary garage door, side entrance, and interior access door. Install proper locks on them and ensure they’re locked whenever they are not in use.
Do not overlook any point of entry to your garage.
The auxiliary doors should be given equal importance, if not more, to the main entrance. You should reinforce the door locks or use a keyless lock. If you have an older lock on your garage door, be sure to upgrade to a more secure one. You should also consider adding alarms to your doors.
Ensure That Your Garage Windows are Covered
Your garage windows are another vulnerability that burglars can exploit. They can use them to scope out the house, learn about the residents, and spot items they can steal.
You should put curtains or tint over exposed windows so no one can see into your garage when they walk by on the street. You should also select garage windows to make your garage secure.
Frosted glass windows allow light into the garage without exposing the interior. You can further add security bars to your garage windows to deter burglars.
Install Sturdy Garage Doors
The best defense against burglars is a well-constructed garage door at least two inches thick. It also needs a heavy-duty lock, installed securely at both ends where it meets up with both sides of its frame above or below ground level. Look for steel-reinforced doors, which will be more resistant to damage from forced entry attempts. Also, look for features like keypads or fingerprint readers to provide extra security.
The exterior side-entry service door is often weaker than the main entrance and can be targeted by burglars. If your side garage door only has a simple lock, it can be slammed off its hinges with a solid kick. Be sure to reinforce the door lock to prevent unauthorized entry.
Keep Your Keypad Codes Private
Be careful with whom you share your garage keypad codes if you’re using a keyless lock for your garage.
Also, change the codes frequently but always commit them to memory first. Some keyless locks can even integrate with your smartphone, making them more accessible and functional.
Install an Alarm System and Security Cameras
According to a report by Alarms.org, homes without a security system are 300% more likely to be burglarized. Installing an alarm system and visible security cameras around your garage’s entry points will deter burglars and keep your home safe.
You can opt for entry sensors, glass breakage detectors, or motion sensors. Motion sensors are generally the best option if you can afford them. A proper alarm system coupled with security cameras will reduce the incidence of burglaries on your property.
Install Motion Sensor Lights
Installing security lighting is an excellent way to keep your garage secure and deter would-be intruders. You should place the lights so that the area near your garage door is illuminated. This will show any activity in your driveway and make it easier for you to see who is coming or going from your house late at night.
It’s also crucial to install the light where it does not draw attention to itself. Otherwise, an intruder might destroy it to avoid detection.
Security lighting can be installed with motion sensors to turn on only when needed, which can help save energy costs and battery life (for solar-powered systems).
Secure Remote Garage Door Openers
You should ensure your door opener is kept out of the reach of would-be burglars. That means not leaving it in your car’s sun visor or glove compartment if you park outside.
If you have to leave your car outside, take the garage door opener with you as you exit. You can opt for a keychain remote instead of a car remote.
You should also consider using a smart-garage controller like NEXX Garage or LiftMaster to control your garage door using your smartphone.
Secure the Emergency Release Cord
The emergency release cord is a rope that hangs down from the door’s trolley with a small handle at the base. When pulled, the release cord will disconnect the carriage from the trolley so that you can manually lift it during an emergency, power outage, or if any of the door parts fail.
This feature is exploitable by burglars. They can pull this cord from outside by putting a coat hanger or a wire hook between the top of the door and the trim, opening the garage door without any hassle. To prevent this, you should secure the emergency release cord by using a zip tie or installing a plate in front of the cord.
If you need to use the emergency cord, you can cut off the zip tie and replace it later.
Work With Your Neighbors
Your neighbors are a critical line of defense. Get to know them and communicate. If you see a suspicious person or something else that could be dangerous, be sure to say something.
For example, if you notice that your neighbor’s garage door is open when they’re supposed to be home and don’t answer the phone, let them know.
You can also form a neighborhood watch to reduce crime in your neighborhood. The neighborhood watch will report criminal activities and provide a sense of security to the residents. You can pick up your neighbor’s newspapers while they are not around so that any potential burglar will think they are still around. They will probably be happy to do the same for you.
Store Your Valuables Safely
Be sure to keep your valuables safe and out of reach to burglars. If all else fails, having your valuables stashed securely will save you a lot of grief and leave you in a better position overall. Valuables should not be stored in your garage, regardless of the security measures you have in place. You can keep your valuables in a rented storage locker or safe deposit boxes.
Check Your Door Locks Regularly
It’s also essential for homeowners to regularly check their garage door locks for signs of tampering or wear. Check the locks on your garage door at least once a week.
Also, you should make sure that the door itself is hung properly. A sagging door will create too much pressure on the door lock.
Check the door screws and the strike plate to ensure they’re still in place. You should also clean your door locks regularly and lubricate them every six months.
Garage Security Devices
Several devices will make securing your home easier. These devices, when installed, will provide added security and prevent burglar attacks.
Smart Garage Door Opener
Smart garage door openers for residential use are ideal for your home garage. Modern garage openers have the latest in security tech and are a good bet when you want to make your home secure and safe. The rolling code system with these openers makes them harder to hack.
Garage Shield
The Garage shield adds a much-needed extra layer of security to your garage door.
This device is a garage door lock specifically designed to prevent break-ins where a burglar uses a coat hanger (or similar tool) to release the emergency release cord from behind the garage door.
Door Sensor
A door sensor is a device that detects the opening and closing of a door. It is commonly used in garages to alert the homeowner if someone is entering or leaving the garage.
A door sensor can be installed on both sides of a garage door. When the door is closed, the sensor will send an alert when someone opens it. This can be done with a motion sensor or camera that alerts you when it senses movement.
Deadbolts
Deadbolts are one of the most popular security devices to keep your garage safe. These locks have an arm that swings into place when you turn the knob, which prevents the deadbolt from turning back out. This makes it impossible for someone to open your door without your permission.
You can buy deadbolts in various sizes and styles to fit your needs. Most deadbolt sets include two parts: a lock cylinder and a strike plate. The strike plate is installed on the door frame to make it as secure as possible. Together, these pieces create a secure barrier against intruders.
Smart Garage Control
The Smart Garage Control is a cheap, easy-to-use device that can prove very useful. It allows you to connect your smartphone with your existing door opener and open/close your garage door from anywhere.
With a smart garage control, there is no need to rush home when you remember you left the door open.
Wireless Shed and Garage Alarm
The wireless shed and garage alarm is a simple motion detection device that does an excellent job of keeping your home safe without all the extra bells and whistles. The device is wireless and battery-operated, so it can be mounted onto a wall.
Once the device is activated, it will release a 100dB siren if it detects any motion within 12m (39ft) unless a 4-digit pin code is entered in ten seconds. It is straightforward to set up and can effectively protect your garage.
FAQs
Can a Garage Door Opener be Hacked?
Modern garage door openers are safe, but anything can be hacked. These models use a rolling code system that changes the code every time the door opener is used, which is difficult to break.
Older garage door openers that use a fixed code are considerably easier to hack.
What Makes a Garage Door Get Stuck?
There are several reasons a garage door might get stuck. These include wear and tear, motor errors, small objects stuck in the track, or inaccurate limit settings.
If your garage door is stuck, check for any objects that may have lodged in the components. If you can’t find any, you can open your garage door manually by pulling the emergency release cord. This lets you use your garage while you wait for a garage repair professional.
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