The winter holiday season approaches and with it, an uptick in home burglaries as people head out of town to see loved ones and store gifts inside. Among the many potential ways a thief could break-in is a home’s garage. With this situation in mind and wanting homeowners to safeguard their homes, we offer readers a list of various garage security options. Not only do these enhancements protect a garage’s contents, they also potentially contribute to a higher home resale value in the future.
How to Secure Your Garage During the Holidays
The holidays mean that some people will be traveling and leaving their homes vacant. Criminals, seeking to take advantage of this opportunity, look for ways to burglarize garages and other home entryways. Protect your valuables by attending to these six items prior to the winter holidays and leaving home for peace of mind:
Keep Your Garage Locked Tight
Disable your garage door’s electric opener or install a padlock on the overhead door latch once you’re ready to leave the house. Be sure this lock is disengaged before operating your door again electrically!
Upgrade Your Exterior Lighting
Install motion lights on the exterior of your garage so anyone approaching the building will not be able to work under the cover of darkness. Alternatively, getting a timer for your lights can deter criminal activity by making it appear as though you’re home.
Install Window Accessories to Keep Prying Eyes Away
Depending on your desired level of security and aesthetics, place steel bars, shades, or blinds inside to keep your garage’s contents out of view and discourage thieves.
Ask a Friend or Neighbor to Check on Your Place
Get someone you know to stop by daily to make sure your property is okay or ask them to park a spare car nearby to make it seem like someone is home. Also, keep your driveway or parking pad clear of debris to give the impression people are around.
Install a Security Camera
If you already have a home security company, ask about getting a camera for your garage’s entrance. If you don’t have a subscription, you can install a standalone unit that’s connected to an app for monitoring while you’re away.
Stay Up-to-Date on Regular Maintenance Checks
A properly working garage door is one of the best deterrents of vandalism. Ensure the door itself is free of damage or holes that might make accessing the inside easier. If there’s substantial damage to your door, contact a garage repair service as soon as possible. Lastly, depending on your budget, it may be a great time to replace the door completely.
