Some Ideas for Improving Your Garage’s Security
Today more than ever, security is on the mind of most homeowners. Your garage plays host to all manner of possessions and expensive equipment. Securing your garage is as important as your living space.
In this article, we will shed light on a few critical, common-sense steps you can take to make your garage and home safer and more secure.
Garage Doors
You probably have deadbolts on your home’s doors and a modern security system with cameras and remote monitoring if you don’t, having these protections in place is best practice.
The garage often has more to do with the living space (storing items and activities like hobbies) than vehicle storage. Since an attached garage is directly accessible as part of your home, having the same security elements in place only makes sense.
Upgrading your old roll-up garage door and opener to a modern smart opener and a garage door with improved security and insulation is an excellent security improvement.
Your service door and the door entering your home should receive equal attention. The garage provides access to all your possessions. A steel, air-tight door between the living space and your garage is typically a code requirement.
For similar reasons, the service door (man door) providing access from outside to your garage should have the same robust protection that your front door enjoys.
If you do not have this protection in place, this should be your number one priority in improving your family’s safety and the security of your garage.
Exterior Lighting
Well-placed robust exterior lighting is an efficient and inexpensive way to deter bad actors. Illuminating the exterior of your garage and home is an excellent deterrent and an easy DIY project for most homeowners. Modern LED systems and their improved efficiencies make this security measure easier than ever for the homeowner.
An excellent way to evaluate your current lighting and map out improvements is to take a nighttime walk around your garage and home to identify the weak points while you think like a burglar.
Lock Your Doors and Keep Them Closed
When you leave your garage door open, anyone can view the interior and inventory your belongings for a future break-in. It’s best to keep your garage doors closed when you are not physically in the garage and locked when not in use.
When you go on vacation, securing your garage door with a padlock and using a zip tie to disable the emergency release will keep miscreants at bay. You can also disconnect the garage door opener from its power source.
Other Security Measures
You can take other simple and straightforward steps that will immediately provide a more secure home.
Take time to evaluate your landscaping and trim back shrubs and other foliage that provide a hiding place. You should be able to accomplish this step without professional help or special tools, as it is probably part of your ongoing maintenance.
Securing costly items like bicycles, golf clubs and other sports equipment, power tools, and anything else of high value is a simple, common-sense step that you can easily accomplish.
Keeping your garage door opener with your keys is a best practice. Never leave your garage door remote in your vehicle where a thief can find it and gain access to your home.
Summary
Your garage should have the same level of security and protection as the rest of your home. Employing these straightforward steps, like inspecting the doors and their locks and upgrading where necessary, will immediately improve the security of your garage.
We hope this short list of easy-to-accomplish security measures inspires you to review your garage security and make any appropriate upgrades.
Top Choice Garage Doors is here to assist in upgrading your garage door, opener, and remote for your peace of mind and your family’s security.