How Can You Keep Your Garage Secure?

Do Burglars Break-In Through the Garage Door?

Answer: About nine percent of burglaries are perpetrated by entering the home through the garage door.

According to security polls, 34 percent of burglars break in through the front door, 23 percent break in through a first-floor window, 22 percent enter through the back door, nine percent use the garage door, four percent break in through the basement door, and two percent use a second-story window. Security professionals recommend that homeowners install door and window sensors on every door and window on the first floor of the home. If homeowners can install alarms on every door and window, burglars will not be able to enter the home without triggering the alarm.

Locking the inner door of the garage isn’t enough. Some burglars look for open garages regardless of whether the homeowner is home. These burglars don’t try to get inside the house. Instead, they walk into the garage and look for expensive tools, bikes, and other sellable objects. These burglars are looking for a quick way to make cash at their local pawn shop. Garage burglars won’t bother looking to see if the home has a security system because they target houses that have left the garage door wide open.

Additionally, negligence can be unintentional, such as when a safety feature accidentally triggers. The garage door has several safety features that make it easier for burglars to enter the garage. The most common reason why garages are left open and vulnerable to burglars is that someone or something accidentally triggered the garage sensor. The garage sensor is a garage door sensor that stops the overhead door from closing on someone or something. It aids in garage door security and safety and is typically meant to prevent the door from hitting someone in the head, hurting a child who couldn't move out of the way, or breaking misplaced valuables. The garage door sensor works using a motion sensor about one foot off the ground. If the garage door is in the process of closing and something blocks the motion sensor, it triggers the automatic garage door opener. This will cause the door to open again. If the homeowner drives away without realizing that the smart garage door opener triggered, the door will stay open until the owner returns home, leaving the perfect opening for an intruder.

Around four percent of burglars specifically target garages and outdoor sheds. Rather than trying to get inside the home, the four percent will steal your DEWALT drill set or your Milwaukee cordless impact wrench. They are looking for items that can be snatched quickly from their place in the garage or shed. Because these four percent of burglars aren’t entering the home itself, they might break into the garage and go no further. These burglars won’t threaten the safety of your family because they will never enter your home. However, because they are breaking and entering your attached garage, detached garage, or detached shed, it can still cause anxiety and a sense of vulnerability for victims.

Homeowners with garages or sheds should take the necessary precautions to protect their property. This article will teach homeowners and renters the best methods to protect their property and how they can discourage burglary on their property all-together.

How Can Homeowners Secure Their Garage Doors?

Answer: Homeowners can have a more secure garage door by adding a garage door security system to keep their garage from becoming a target.

Securing your garage door is fairly simple and can increase your home security. Leaving your garage unprotected can endanger your family and your property. A study from UNC reveals that burglars can have violent tendencies. UNC reports, “About 8% of burglars reported that they had been charged with homicide, 12% with robbery, and 7% with assault at some point in their past. On the other hand, over 54% reported that burglary/breaking-and-entering was the most serious crime that they had been charged with to date.” Essentially, 27 percent of burglars may engage in violent or threatening behavior while entering a home, putting the household members' lives in danger. Here are five ways to secure your garage door.

1. Close Your Garage Door

The number one thing you can do to secure your garage is to close your garage door. It seems like a no-brainer, but how often do we randomly leave them open? It doesn't matter whether it's day or night--if you're not actively using your garage and need it to be open, it's time to close it. Every time. Even if you're just running a quick errand down the street. It only takes a few minutes for a burglary, and a thief will always take the easy opportunity. Simply closing your garage door will be the first step in deterring them, but also keeping them from seeing what you store in your garage that they might want to steal.

2. Use Smart Devices in Your Garage

As technology continues to advance, there are more and more "smart" devices available all the time. A smart garage door opener is a popular option, as it acts like a backup brain. If you ever forget to close your garage door, you can control it from an app on your phone. It's also convenient if you need to let someone into your house.

3. Check the Landscaping

One important thing you can do to secure your garage door is to check your landscaping. Landscaping can have a huge effect on the security of your garage. In some homes, the landscaping will have a tree or bush covering a window leading into the garage. Windows are easy targets for burglars because the glass can be easily broken without making too much noise (as long as the window is broken softly). With the landscaping covering the window, the burglar can easily obscure their entrance, allowing them to gain easy access to the garage.

The first step homeowners and renters should take when securing their garage is to ensure that all windows and doors can be easily seen from all angles. If there are trees or bushes close to your doors and windows, trim the landscaping away.

4. Install an Automatic Door Closer

In most homes, the garage door will stay open unless the homeowner enters the code or presses the garage door lock. This is convenient for those who spent ample time in their garages, such as welders, mechanics, and carpenters. Closing the garage door while the individual is inside the garage could expose the person to high carbon monoxide levels. For those who spend more than 30 minutes at a time in their garage, keeping the door open is safer for your health.

However, if you don’t spend time in your garage, you should invest in an automatic door closer. An automatic door closer will close the garage door after a given amount of time. The user can set the timer to close the door after five, ten, or fifteen minutes. This ensures that the door will close, whether or not the user remembers to close it after pulling their car out.

5. Hide Your Remote Control

Protecting the security of garage doors can be as simple as hiding your garage remote. Your garage remote is the key to getting the door open. If the burglar can get inside your car briefly and steal the garage opener, they gain another key to your home that they can use at any time. Rather than assuming that the garage opener has been stolen, most homeowners first think they misplaced and will simply get a replacement. However, if your garage opener is missing, assume the worst.

Change your garage code and get a new opener that an old opener won’t be synced with. Additionally, instead of placing your garage opener in your car, get a keychain door lock and door opener. This garage opener is small and can be attached to a keychain that you will carry inside the house with you. You can also use smart home automation to open and close the door remotely using your phone app.

6. Install Deadbolts on Garage Side Doors

Some garages have a utility door or a door that is located on the side of the garage. This door isn’t used often in most homes and is installed for when the garage door breaks. Although the security door is useful, it poses a security risk. To protect your garage, you will need to secure the side door. If it doesn't already have one, install a deadbolt. A deadbolt offers more protection as it deters thieves and makes it much harder to gain access into your garage.

7. Install Door Alarms on the Side Doors and Garage Windows

While you're at it, another great way secure any side doors on your garage is by installing door alarms. A door alarm is a small, unobtrusive device that is installed on the door and door frame. When the door opens, it triggers the garage alarm, scaring away the intruder.

You should also install a window sensor on any windows leading into the garage. One of the best window sensors for garages is the glass break sensor, which listens for the frequency of glass shattering. By protecting the garage door and the garage windows, you gain better security and protection.

8. Secure Your Front Door

To gain the best protection for your garage, you should also install door sensors on your front door, side doors, and back doors. Once a burglar is inside the home, they have access to every room of the house, including the garage. This means that securing just your garage won’t give you complete protection. In fact, most burglars will first try to enter the home through the front door. If the front door doesn’t open, they might try a side window that is obscured by landscaping. The garage door is typically the fourth thing that a burglar will attempt to enter if the house doesn’t have an alarm system.

What Do You Need in a Garage Security System?

Answer: Homeowners should install motion sensor lights, motion detectors, door and window sensors, a garage shield, and a security camera.

Garage security systems are typically an eclectic grouping of security equipment that is paired with your existing alarm system. Garage security systems will include motion sensor lights that can be placed directly above the garage door, motion sensor alarms inside the garage, door and window sensors on every door or window leading inside, and a garage shield. Some homeowners might also consider including a security camera inside the garage to watch for suspicious activity. These devices ensure that your home and garage is safer and better secured. Your garage security system should be tailored to the needs of your home.

Motion Sensor Lights

As mentioned earlier in this article, having motion sensor lights can startle the burglar into retreating. The sudden light exposes the burglar to the neighbors, making the burglar feel seen. In most cases, the burglar will run as soon as the light triggers.

Motion Detectors

Inside the garage, install motion sensors that will trigger an alarm if there is movement when the alarm is armed. Installing one motion sensor in the corner of the garage should protect the area. For the best protection, the homeowner should use a home security company to monitor the alarm.

Door and Window Sensors

Every door and window needs to have an sensor installed. Doors and windows are the most likely target for the average burglar, meaning that they are important to protect.

Security Camera

Having an indoor wireless security camera installed in your garage or an outdoor camera outside of your garage can ensure that you have eyes on anyone approaching your garage and what's going on inside

Additionally, features can be added to your garage system to increase the effectiveness of your security. Depending on your neighborhood and the crime rates in your area, you may want to consider adding all possible security features to your garage. However, if you live in a regular neighborhood with low crime rates, your home should be protected by simply installing the five aforementioned devices. It’s important to remember that homes in low crime areas are still at risk for crime. Just because crime is uncommon in your community doesn’t mean it’s impossible.