Some of the ways an intruder can gain access to your home are surprising and very scary. Do you know how secure your home’s entrance points are? While the focus for many is the doors, you should take note of other points of access that bad guys could hone their interest in.
One of these is garage doors. From a burglar’s standpoint, garage doors can sometimes be the more vulnerable entry point in a home, more so than windows. Securing garage doors will help add a crucial element to the security of your home. Read further to find out these weak points and how to fix them. Here we go!
Keeping Your Garage Secure – What You Should Know
1. Shield Your Garage Door Opener Lock
Let’s start with a hypothetical: Say one day you and your family head out on the town for an all-day event. Everyone’s coming, so you make sure that the house is locked up completely. You secure the front and back doors and protect the garage door leading to the garage by locking and locking all of the windows.
As you take the car out of the garage, you make sure that the door is shut, then attempt to pull it up to ensure the lock is working as it should. You drive off and leave, confident that your home is secure.
But as you make your way back to the house and pull up the garage, you notice that all of the extensive power tools you had there, along with stored electronics, have all disappeared.
How could this have happened? You were sure everything in the house was locked.
While you might wonder if someone else has a key to your home, you inspect the release latch at the top, noticing that it’s been tampered with. That’s it!
The same thing that allows a homeowner to secure their garage could end up being the biggest loophole to your home’s security defense. A release latch can be pulled by an intruder with the help of a clothes hanger or other tiny wire, something that’s small enough to fit through the hole of your garage’s top. If they’re able to grab it, they have access to your home.
Take a moment to go and look at your garage. If you see a long string hanging down at the top, this hypothetical description could become a reality. Not to be alarmist, but prioritize this loophole as soon as you can with the following solutions.
You could cut the cord but this could make it harder for you to lock your garage.
Of course, you wouldn’t want that to happen so try out this product instead:
Garage Shield – Garage Door Security Home Protection
The Garage Shield is a way to block an intruder’s access to your home with just a single plate. It is assembled to the railing of the chain link that sits directly in front of the release latch.
Once screwed into place, no one can grab hold of the string with any wires or hangers. It also can’t be reached with the hands.
A quick fix to a potential greater issue, consider getting the Garage Shield if you have a garage that’s described in the manner that’s shown in the description and is away from your home quite often.
DIY Options
Some garage security devices can be made to all but eliminate this flaw on the spot. Cutting works, but a better way would be to find a piece of PVC pipe. If you have one laying around your home and don’t need it, cut it down to the length of the string. Take the string off and place the PVC over it, then tie the string back onto the release latch.
2. Add Motion Sensing lights
While you’re at it, you should consider getting motion sensor lights specifically for your garage outside. These will illuminate the area whenever someone comes nearby, and alert you to danger before opening the garage.
With the typically motion-sensing light, you can also get illumination whenever you walk into the garage.
3. Secure Your Windows
There are several ways to make the windows in your garage more secure. The easiest method is to install burglar bars (window bars) on the panels.
Since most garages have very small windows, to begin with, doing this probably won’t require much work. Depending on the model, you might have to do some drilling around the window frame but that’s about it.
4. Make Your Interior Garage Door Secure Like an Exterior Door
For a lot of people, the garage is the single most vulnerable part of a home. Outside of blocking the latch itself, beefing up its security typically involves two steps.
These are surveillance and locks of some sort. You don’t want to take the easy route here; try getting a motion-sensing surveillance camera.
There are models that can be linked to your home’s Wi-Fi, with notifications and video feeds sent directly to your smartphone. As for locks, even a padlock could do, but it’s possible to find them automated as well.
5. Install the Best Garage Door Opener
Today, most garage door openers are made for people with old, manual garages. Newer garage doors tend to have this featured already. If your garage door is old, the only thing you’ll need to upgrade it quickly is a garage door opener.
They’re hooked to the chain link of the garage and will detect motions whenever your vehicle is entering or exiting. Brands will usually feature a small remote control that fits around a keychain. Some can be set up to open manually with the remote or automatically.
Liftmaster garage openers are one popular brand that you should check out, given that they’re compatible with just about all sizes and maintain an excellent range.
6 Garage Security Tips to Keep in Mind
Here are some suggestions to take note of before making any upgrade to your garage’s security:
1. Leaving Garage Door Remote in Your Car
This is another area that many a thief could take advantage of. Remember, most burglaries happen during the daytime, and some even when someone is inside the house. Not surprisingly, garages are where thefts usually occur when someone’s at home. Keep your Garage Door remote attached to your keychain and always bring it in the house with you when you’re not out and about.
2. Set Auto-Lock Timer for Garage Door Opener
With most garage locks, you can control the time in which it locks, opens, and even when the lights come on. If someone in your family leaves for work or school in the morning, they probably would appreciate having the garage door ready for them without needing to move anything manually.
3. Always Keep the Garage Door Closed
Again, thefts can happen when you’re away or at home. Never leave your garage door open unless you’re outside. Even if you have surveillance cameras installed, you don’t want to provide an opportunist with ill intentions with the assumption that you’re careless.
4. Lock the Manual Garage Door Lock if You’re Away
Lock the garage door when you’re not around. As a backup, consider using a chain and padlock on the garage’s latch if it’s near the front.
5. Hide your Valuables
You should secure tools in garage toolboxes that lock with a key. If there’s anything of high value in your garage. Try to place it under an additional layer of security. For example, it would probably be a good idea to store your wanted electronics in a safe or protective case. If the case you’re using is metal or steel, try bolting it to the floor.
6. Maintain Your Garage Door Once or Twice a Year
Your garage is like your teeth in the sense that both should be examined at least once or twice a year. This will prevent any surprises from occurring when you don’t expect them to.
While you might not be an expert at knowing when to do this, loose garage doors that close shut from their own weight are one sight that a checkup is needed. Others are jams in the railing or difficulty in getting the garage to open/close altogether. Get a professional to find any deficiencies and weaknesses that are hard for you to spot.
Summary
Do you now know what it takes to fortify your garage to the point where an intruder won’t be able to pass through it? There are tips and suggestions throughout all sections, some of which require a little cost.
But if you want to really beef up your home’s security and have peace of mind, it’s highly recommended that you acquire a garage lock and/or shield. And even if you have those things, don’t think you’re completely safe without guards for your windows. Buy the products shown and make your home a safe and protected place for everyone!
