7 Ways to Prevent Home Theft

Your nightly routine before getting into bed most likely includes locking your windows and doors. Do you include securing the garage in that checklist? It’s likely that your garage door is an entrance to and exit from your home, just like your windows and doors. As such, it should be secured against home thefts. Keep reading for seven useful ways to prevent your home from potential outside threats. 

Invest in an alarm.

Garage alarm systems can be an easy way to maintain your peace of mind. They will sound loudly when they sense any kind of motion in your garage, alerting you and (hopefully) scaring off anyone entering without your permission.

Install motion-sensor lighting.

For added security, place motion-sensor lighting around your garage to deter and startle potential intruders. Choose lights with an extended range of detection for larger garages, and make sure each possible entry is covered to maximize their effectiveness. 

Keep the door closed.

One of the easiest steps you can take in securing your home is ensuring the overhead door is always closed when the garage isn’t in use. If you are someone who tends to forget to shut the door on a consistent basis, you may want to consider investing in a garage door timer. Once installed and programmed, this device signals the garage door opener to close the door after a predetermined amount of time. 

Read More: Keep Your Family Safe With These Garage Door Safety Tips

Keep the door opener in your house, not your car.

We know it’s convenient to keep the garage door opener remote in your car, clipped to one of the sun visors or stored in the center console. This can be acceptable for cars parked in the garage on a consistent basis, but what about the vehicles sitting in the driveway or parked on the street? You don’t want to give just anyone access to what is probably the biggest entrance to your home. Take the garage door opener remote with you when you leave the car, and keep it in a safe place in your house. Think about replacing the big remote for a small keychain-sized version; these can be purchased at a variety of home stores or wherever you got the bigger one.

Going on vacation? Unplug the opener!

When your home will be empty for more than a couple days at a time, it may be worth unplugging the garage door opener. If you don’t have one, you can disable the door with a padlock or by putting a bolt through one of the holes in the door track. This is a great way to prevent someone from attempting to use the overhead door while you’re gone.

Reinforce your side door.

Protect your home from theft not only through the overhead garage door but also the side door. Get a metal lock reinforcer that wraps around the edge of the door, and  install a strike plate on the door frame. For added security, also install a high quality deadbolt or two.

Cover any windows.

If burglars don’t know what is in your garage, they may be less likely to break in. Don’t let them “window shop.” Cover windows in your garage with curtains, blinds, shades, or a translucent film that lets in sunlight while blocking outside eyes from peeking in.

If you do have valuables stored in plain sight, this could be the perfect opportunity to reorganize your garage. Put everything on shelves instead of on the floor, making sure they are deep enough to comfortably hold what you need to store. For added privacy, staple fabric along the top of the shelves to keep everything hidden from sight, like old sheets cut to size,  plastic tablecloths, or tarps.

As an added tip, keep your door in tip-top shape; a garage door that is falling apart or only works half the time is less likely to stop a potential intruder from entering your house. If you think you need to replace your garage door or get it serviced, the qualified technicians at Doors by George can help you figure out what needs to be done to keep your home secure and your family safe.