When would-be burglars are looking for an entry point into a home, the garage is often the first place that they look. Unfortunately, the garage is often the least secure area of the house, which can make it an easy target for thieves. And this not only puts your garage at risk, it puts the rest of the house at risk as well. Take a look at some important tips that will help you beef up the security in your garage.
Cover the Windows
For privacy reasons, blinds or curtains are typically used on all the windows in a home. However, you probably don’t think of a garage as a place where you need much privacy, so it’s not uncommon for garage windows to be bare.
However, window coverings serve a security purpose as well as providing privacy. They prevent potential burglars from “window shopping” in your home. If the windows are open and people can easily see what’s inside, it’s easy for them to determine what’s worth stealing and how to get to it quickly. The same is true inside your garage, and garages are often home to valuable items, like power tools, sporting or hunting equipment, and of course, your car.
Window coverings are an easy addition to your garage. If you don’t like the idea of putting up curtains or blinds in your garage, consider applying dark window tinting or an opaque film to obscure the items inside.
Close Your Garage Door Automatically
It’s easy to forget to close the garage door. Maybe you were running late and left in a rush, or your teenager came in late and forgot to close the garage door behind them. The problem is that leaving the garage door open is as much of an invitation as an open front door – and an open garage is even easier to spot than an open front door.
You can prevent this problem by installing a garage door timer that automatically shuts the garage door if it’s left open for too long. You can also invest in a smart garage door opener, which can allow you to check the status of your garage door, as well as open and close it, from your computer or smartphone.
Avoid Leaving Your Garage Remote in the Car
Everyone has lost their keys from time to time, and you know what a hassle it can be. You don’t want to waste time looking for your garage door remote, so it can seem like an easy solution just to leave it in the car. However, this is a bad habit to get into.
The problem with leaving your garage remote in the car is that car windows make it easy to see what’s in your car – and once a thief has your garage door opener in their possession, they have access to the rest of the house as well. So whether you’re heading into the office or parking your car in the driveway for the night, make sure to take your garage door opener with you.
Garage security is an important aspect of garage design that’s often overlooked. To find out more about improving your garage design and security, contact us for a free design consultation and estimate.
