When it comes to improving your home’s security, the first places you’ll probably think to start are your home’s doors and windows. But if you’re looking for ways to make your home more secure, one place that shouldn’t be overlooked is your garage. 9% of burglars access homes through the garage, so if your home has an attached garage, keeping your garage secure should definitely be a top priority. Even if your garage is detached, making sure it’s secure will help protect expensive things like tools, sporting equipment, and your car.
First of all, if your garage is attached to the house, it’s extremely important to make sure the door leading to your home is very secure. Always keep this door locked and deadbolted. If this door is getting a bit old, replacing it with a new steel exterior door will help give your home an added security boost.
Do you have an automatic garage door opener? If so, do you know how old it is? If your garage door opener was made before 1999, you might want to consider replacing it with a newer model. Newer garage door openers have more advanced security features than older models. Not able to replace your garage door opener system right now? If you have an opener that uses a series of dip switches to create a unique code that’s set on both your opener and its remote, simply changing that combination could help boost your security. When many people got those types of door openers, they never changed the default combination, which is a fact that many burglars are aware of. If a burglar has a garage door opener that happens to work with your system, they can get in very easily as long as the combination is on the default settings.
If you’re in the habit of leaving your garage door opener in your car, it’s time to break the habit. If someone breaks into your car while it’s sitting in your driveway, you’ll be making the burglar’s job incredibly easy. Even if someone breaks into your car while it’s in a parking lot away from home, many people leave things in their cars that have their home address printed on it. Many newer garage door openers have remotes that conveniently attach to your key ring so you don’t have to worry about carrying anything extra with you when you go in the house.
Try to keep your garage door closed as much as possible. The last thing you want to do is show the entire neighborhood what things you keep in your garage. Remember, it only takes a few seconds for a thief to run up and grab something from your garage if you leave your garage door open unattended!
Last, but certainly not least, remember that many of the same things you do to improve security in the rest of your home will also help make your garage more secure. Many garages have a side door, so make sure that door is always locked. Use curtains or blinds to cover your windows or apply a film that will make it harder to see in through them. Make sure the windows are securely locked. Consider installing motion-activated lights on the outside of your garage. If you have a home security system installed in the rest of your home, make sure it includes the garage as well. If your garage door isn’t in such great condition, you may want to think about replacing it with a new one. With these steps, your garage will be well protected!
