Many Americans have garages for their cars, tools, and whatever else they choose to put in there. And because of that, there is a chance that those garages may be robbed–especially if they have valuable things in them. Garages are one of the favorite targets for burglars to steal from, because they contain high-cost valuables, like cars and expensive tools. It also is an easy target because it’s obvious that no one is in there at night, and once someone’s inside the garage, it is easy to get into the house. That’s why your garage security is very important. Here’s a short list of things to keep in mind and some tips to keep the chance of your garage being robbed low.
1. Even when your car is not in the garage, it’s very important to keep the doors shut and locked. You might have something else valuable in there a thief may want, or he might inspect your garage, trying to figure out how to burglarize it when your car is there, or maybe even he might try to figure out a way to rob the house, later. It only takes seconds to snag something or inspect.
2. Covering and frosting the garage’s windows also help keep the car and valuables unseen. The robber won’t know if the car is gone, or if there might be anything else in there worth going to the effort to steal. You might want to plant rosebushes outside the windows too, because that would make a thief think twice before trying–because of the pain and effort he’d have to go through.
3. A peephole installed into the door between the house and the garage is smart too, because you can check without possible harm to your or your family if there’s a unfamiliar noise out there. Instead of confronting a burglar, it’s always more wise to phone the police. You don’t know his intentions or what weapons he might have on hand.
4. If you have a garage door that lifts on a track to open or close, a C-clamp can give it extra security. When you have a C-clamp clamped tight on the track next to the roller, the door cannot be opened. Check, too, if you have any damaged corners or loose panels, because if you do, someone could always pry them open and get in. Make sure your door is solid.
5. If you haven’t changed the electric combination on the garage door opener since you bought it, it might be a good idea to do that for added security. To change it, you pry off the lid; examine the set of switches carefully inside. Usually, there’s a row of 10-12 switches. If all except one of the switches are going in the same direction, the combination is pretty easy to figure out. The robber would have a one in ten or twelve chance of getting it. Pick a more complicated combination, with more switches opposing each other, and then make sure to adjust the switches in the receiver (the box above the door) to match the pattern. You can use a toothpick for flipping the switches.
And, of course, use common sense. Make sure everything in your house in securely locked, doors and also windows, before leaving. These tips, if you follow them, won’t guarantee that a burglar won’t try to bust in, but, it’ll definitely make him have a hard time of it and possibly hesitate before he tries. And, the more he has to do to break in, the longer it’ll take him, and the easier it is for him to be caught. Be safe!
Want to find out more about Jacksonville Garage Door, then visit Leslie Reynoldss’s site on how to choose the best repair or installation option for your needs.