8 Tips for Securing Your Garage

Your garage can be a weak point in your home’s security. Intruders target residential garages for a few reasons. Firstly, valuable tools, equipment and vehicles are often stored in the garage. Secondly, some homeowners have the habit of leaving their garage doors open or unlocked, making it an easy entry point. Finally, the garage provides shelter once inside, giving burglars the time and concealment to break into the rest of your home.

As a homeowner, keeping your property safe and secure is important. That’s why we are sharing 8 tips for securing your garage.

Keep it locked

Always keep your garage door closed and locked. An open garage door is an invitation for thieves to walk right in and help themselves. Some may argue they live in a great, safe neighborhood. Remember, nice neighborhoods are where burglars go to drive around, looking for houses to break into.

If your garage is attached to your home, make sure the door from the garage is also locked. This entry point should be as secure as your front or back door. Make sure the door itself is solid and add a deadbolt lock for extra security.

Add outdoor lighting

Keeping the outside of your home bright is a good deterrent to thieves. Many break-ins occur in the evening or overnight, since the darkness provides cover for the intruders. Most would be reluctant to try and pry open a door or window under a spotlight.

Consider installing extra pot lights or other outdoor lighting and keeping them on at night. Another option is to mount motion detector lights near your garage, doors and windows. If burglars try to sneak up to your home, they will trip the light’s sensor, likely scaring them away. Motion detectors are also a good choice for the environment since they use little power, only turning on when someone is nearby.

Hide your assets

Prevent potential intruders from seeing what you store in your garage. If your garage door has windows, consider having tinted or satin glass installed. These finishes will still allow in natural light while camouflaging what’s inside the garage. For a DIY option, home renovation stores sell translucent films that can be applied to existing windows to make them difficult to see through. Curtains, sheers or blinds can also be used to cover up the windows in your garage. Don’t forget to keep all garage windows locked.

Install a quality garage door

If your door is in poor condition, it may be more susceptible to break-ins. This also applies to weak or broken tracks, hinges or windows. Keep intruders out by having a solid garage door made of quality materials. Garaga models like the Eastman or the Cambridge are beautiful yet quite strong since they are made of 1¾”-thick galvanized steel.

For commercial purposes, doors made of solid steel without windows are recommended. For example, the G‑2020 models are built of 23‑gauge steel with stronger plates around the hinges and handles.

Install an alarm system

An alarm system is an effective way to protect your home. An alarm and sensor can be added to your garage door as well as your other doors and windows. Different models and styles are available. Some sound a loud alarm to scare away intruders and warn you that an area has been breached. Others can sound a silent alarm at a remote location, alerting your security company that there is a burglary in progress.

Many garage door openers now come equipped with security features of their own, such as a self-closing mechanism. Some can now be connected to the Internet and used with an app. You can now operate your garage door from your cellphone!!

Keep your code secret

If you wouldn’t give someone your house key, don’t give them your garage door security code. Never give out the code to repairmen or other people working on your property since you can’t control who else will have access to the information. When entering your code, shield the keypad to hide the numbers from onlookers. Keeping your security code private is important to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands.

Secure your keys and remote

Don’t leave your house keys or garage door remote in your car. Keep your remote on your keychain and keep everything safely in your pocket or bag. If your car is broken into, you don’t want the culprits to then proceed to rob your home. If your remote is ever lost or stolen, follow the instructions in the manual to reset the code and disable the remote.

Keep your remote out of sight

If keeping your remote on you is not possible or practical, keep it out of sight. Thieves know where to look for garage door remotes as they are usually clipped to the driver’s sun visor. Keep yours out of view by storing it in your glove compartment. This will discourage opportunists from breaking into your vehicle and grabbing your remote along with your registration papers, which gives them your address. A little prevention can go a long way towards making sure your home is not a target for criminals. Securing your garage with our 8 tips can help keep you, your family and your home safe from intruders.