6 Effective Ways to Make Your Garage More Secure
While making sure that your home is secure, don’t forget about your garage; whether you have items of value stored inside, or access to your home can be gained from inside it, burglars love garages and often target them when they’re prowling neighborhoods.
Check out the following 6 tips for making sure your garage is burglar-proof:
- Light it up
The darker the exterior of your home and yard is at night time, the more attractive it will be to criminals. Install motion-activated lights near your garage to deter thieves from approaching it; these are especially useful if your garage is detached and sits in the shadows.
- Clear the area around your garage
Shrubs or trees that provide cover for criminals should be removed and the area leading up to your garage be kept as clear as possible. If anyone passing by can clearly see your garage, then burglars will almost certainly think twice before attempting to gain unlawful entry.
- Shut the door!
It can be tempting to leave your garage door open while you step inside the house, or even easier to leave the house and forget to close it, but either way, an open garage door is an invitation to a burglar, and they won’t hesitate to take advantage of your mistake.
If you do have a habit of leaving your garage door open, consider installing a garage door sensor, automatic door closer or automatic garage door lock. For more details about these items, talk to your local garage door specialist.
- Think about where you leave your remote
A garage door opener is in essence, another way of accessing your home for criminals, and well they know it! Instead of leaving it clipped to the visors in your car, or somewhere else where thieves can get to it, try replacing it with a keychain remote that you keep with you at all times, or better yet, upgrade to a smart garage door opener. Again, talk to your garage door specialist about upgrading your opener.
- Don’t neglect your service door
Side doors are ideal for opportunist criminals, and if you haven’t already, you should increase its security by adding a deadbolt and reinforced strike plate. Your local locksmith will be able to advise you as to how you can improve the security of your side door.
- Don’t neglect the entryway to your home, either
If you have a door in your garage that leads to your home, then you’ll need to look at how secure it is. A solid core door with a deadbolt and a reinforced strike plate may well do the trick, and further consultation with a lock specialist may turn up other methods you can use to protect your garage and home, such as with a standalone door sensor or one that is connected to a high-quality home security system.
If you’re worried that your garage might be vulnerable to thieves, try talking to your local locksmith about steps you can take to better protect your garage, and your home.
