Security is a top priority for all homeowners. Many spend dubious amounts on surveillance cameras and locks to protect their valuables and family. Yet, most of them ignore securing their garage door, an easy entry point for intruders.
According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, the garage is one of the top five top entry points used by burglars. So, you need to make sure you take measures to secure it. We have insights on how you can turn your garage into Fort Knox, well sort of – making it difficult for intruders to break in.
Install sturdy, durable garage doors
You can find garage doors made of different grades of aluminum, wood, and steel. The better the material, the more protection they provide. On average, solid wood and steel are sturdier than doors made of aluminum frames. So, if you have an aluminum door, you may want to consider changing it.
Make sure your garage door has a thick layer of the material it is made of. The thinner it is, the easier it would be for someone to break it, if they wanted to. Get a new garage door if you have to – a 26-gauge steel door is ideal whereas most steel garage doors in homes are 24-gauge. Most homeowners are unaware of the door’s thickness so you may want to call a professional to come to take a look.
Get a smart garage door opener
Who knew that a garage door opener could make your home safer. Openers today are more advanced than ever. Smart garage door openers notify you every time the door opens and closes. Most homeowners use it as a form of reminder when they accidentally leave the door open. But, it is also helpful in case of break-ins as the opener will notify you if the burglar opens the garage door and enters. You can promptly call the police or take action yourself.
Install floodlights with motion detectors outside the garage
The dark allows intruders to move freely outside the garage and break-in. You can prevent the chances of this by installing a floodlight with motion detectors. The light turns on the moment it detects anyone approaching, which is likely to scare intruders away since the darkness will no longer allow them to move without being detected. You can find floodlights that can detect motions up to 25 feet away from the garage door. So, it stops them in their tracks well before they even reach the door.
Get the garage windows frosted
Many burglars scout garages before they break in, just to make sure there is something worth stealing. They typically do this by peeping through the garage windows. Frosted windows prevent them from scouting your garage because they make it difficult for them to see what is inside. Not being able to see inside will make some burglars lose interest in breaking in. It makes no sense to take the risk and break in only to find nothing of value.
Install a security camera in the garage
Security cameras have become essential for home security. Technology today allows you to keep an eye on your home even when you are away from it. IP cameras allow you to stream the camera through the internet from anywhere. Newer models even come with motion and sound detectors, sending you alerts as soon as they detect something.
For optimal security, consider getting two cameras installed, one outside the garage and the other inside. Therefore, the outside camera sends a warning if they try to break in through the door. The inside camera would warn you if they break in from a window or any other point the outside camera doesn’t cover.
Keep the door that links your garage to your home locked
It goes without saying that you should always close and lock your garage doors, even when you are at home. In addition to that, be sure to lock the door that connects your garage and home. The main reason intruders break into the garage is to gain access to your home. It is very common for homeowners to think that their garage is secure enough to protect them from break-ins, leaving the door unlocked. But, that is a mistake that can be costly.
Final thoughts
There are several different entry points in a home for intruders. The garage is one of the most common ones of them. It needs the same amount of attention, in terms of security, as any other part of your home. The insights we’ve provided above should help you accomplish that. So, you can sleep in peace at night, knowing you and your family are well-guarded in case of a break-in.
