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Garage Security Tips & Tricks
It’s a security weak spot — and a favorite target for crooks
When it comes to security, too many homeowners overlook their garages. But crooks don’t. To them, it’s often an easy score—or worse, the perfect path into your home, where they can work on your entry door, unseen by neighbors. In about 20 percent of house burglaries, crooks enter through the garage. That’s a shame, because boosting garage security is pretty simple.
Don’t leave your remote in the car
A thief who breaks into your car can grab the remote for easy access to your garage. This isn’t just a problem when your car is parked in the driveway; the registration card in your glove box gives a crook your address. So get rid of the remote on your visor and buy a keychain model. You can easily take it with you every time you leave the car. Home centers stock only a small selection of remotes, but you’ll find many more online.
Don’t forget to close the door
Lots of garages get looted simply because someone forgot to close the door. A garage door monitor is a good reminder. Just stick the sensor to the door and set the monitor in a conspicuous spot like your nightstand. The brand of your door or opener doesn’t matter; any monitor will work. An automatic door closer provides even more security, since it closes the door whether you’re home or not. Installation requires some simple low-voltage wiring and takes less than an hour. To find a monitor or an automatic garage door closer, search online.
Garage door monitor
The sensor sends a signal to the monitor, telling you whether the door is open or closed. Both units are battery-operated—no wiring is required.
Automatic door closer
This device allows the door to stay open for a set amount of time, then closes it. You can override it on those summer days when you’re working in the garage.
Cover windows to hide the loot
Don’t let crooks window shop for the valuable tools or toys in your garage. Install curtains or blinds. Or, if you don’t want to block light, apply translucent window film; it’s quick, easy and inexpensive.
Lock the overhead door
Some people “lock” the door when they go on vacation by unplugging the opener. That’s a good idea, but physically locking the door is even better. An unplugged opener won’t stop a burglar who has entered through the house from opening the garage door from inside, backing in a van and using the garage as a loading dock for his plunder. Make a burglar’s job more difficult and time-consuming by locking the door itself. If your door doesn’t have a lockable latch, drill a hole in the track just above one of the rollers and slip in a padlock.
How to choose a dead bolt
Just look for the “ANSI Grade” on the label. Don’t even consider a Grade 3, despite the tempting price tag. A Grade 2 model is adequate, but spend an extra 10 bucks and get a Grade 1. Aside from higher security, you’ll get a better-built lock that will give you years of trouble-free service.