Most people will take some good security measures to keep their property and loved ones safe. Unfortunately, some things get overlooked and become vulnerabilities. A good example—your garage.Call us here at Auto Locksmith Near Me KC, and we can provide you with a free, no-obligation quote for standard services; if you need our emergency automotive locksmith services, we will immediately come to you and take steps to solve your problem—on the spot, and on the double.
It is so easy to overlook it because people don’t usually consider it as part of their living space. It’s that place you park your car to protect it from the elements—the place where you store your stuff like holiday decorations when they’re not in use. Perhaps you use your garage as a workshop and it’s just covered in a bunch of sawdust and scrap wood.
Regardless of how you use your garage, it still needs to be checked for vulnerabilities.
DOES YOUR GARAGE HAVE A SIDE DOOR (SERVICE DOOR)?
If you answered yes, what type of lock does it have? If you regularly use your garage’s side door, how often do you make sure it’s locked? People often get careless with the safety of their garage, because it’s nice to have an alternate entry point to your yard. The problem is, that same side door can also provide criminals another way to get into your home. If you don’t have a deadbolt, you should seriously consider getting one. Already have one? Be sure not to leave your spare key under a mat or in a fake rock. That’s the first place a thief will look.
If you have a deadbolt that locks with a key on both sides, keep a key near (or in) the lock on the inside of your garage. This gives you quick access in case there is an emergency and you have no other accessible exit.
Don’t forget to secure the door that leads to the interior of your house. If you’re missing an adequate lock for that door, it’s a quick fix.
DOES YOUR GARAGE HAVE WINDOWS?
Windows are another item that often gets neglected. If you don’t have any blinds or other forms of window coverings in your garage, get them. It will keep prying eyes from seeing if your car is there. They may assume you’re out of town or away long enough for a smash and grab. If your windows are bare, someone looking in might see you’ve got something of interest in plain sight. You can stop a break-in by simply removing the temptation with closed window shades. A budget-friendly solution is frosted vinyl window film (or even taping fabric) over the windows. It lets the light in during the day and keeps peepers out.
REPLACE YOUR OLD GARAGE DOOR
How many times do you drive up to the garage and notice how beat up it looks? You’ve been telling yourself you’re going to replace it, but just haven’t gotten around to doing it. Every day that goes by without replacing that worn out door is another day that door poses a potential risk. Besides it being unsightly and a security hazard, it could be dangerous in more ways than just that. Living in South Florida, we deal with hurricanes and tropical storms all the time. Don’t wait until it’s too late to replace your old garage door.
The benefits of getting a new garage door is that new ones are reinforced, have weather stripping, come with safety features and locks. Lastly, they look beautiful and add value to your home.
…AND LOCKING IT
Maybe you don’t need a new garage door—however—you still have to make sure you lock the one you do have. Believe it or not, the majority of robberies happen in broad daylight—mostly because that’s when people are normally at work (at least, pre-COVID-19). If you love leaving your garage door wide open, you’re potentially inviting someone to walk right in, whether you are home or not.
How many times have you been trimming hedges or cutting the grass and completely missed the fact that your spouse was hollering at you or a neighbor was trying to get your attention? Sadly, it only takes a moment while your back is turned for someone to swipe something.
ADD EXTERIOR LIGHTS
Your back yard probably faces someone else’s backyard. People have been known to hop multiple fences to break into a home or flee the scene of a crime. Exterior lights can help keep crime away. Installing some sensor lighting outside the garage and side or back door is a smart way to add security and peace of mind. They can be LED and even solar powered.
With the growing popularity of LED and solar lighting, these options are becoming more common and way more affordable. Not only will you be adding more security, but you may be increasing the value of your home.
Lots opt to leave the standard porch lights on through the whole night—a classic move. While that will help keep crime at bay, it will all cost you more on your monthly electricity bill and possibly bother the neighbors. That’s one of the reasons that sensor lights are a better option and they can accommodate any budget.
STICK A FEW DETERRENT SIGNS IN YOUR YARD
One of the cheapest things you can do to keep a burglar away is to put a few “Beware of Dog” signs. Everyone’s seen them and sure there’s a chance there is no dog. Nevertheless, they do help!
The best thing to do is to get an expert to assess your security needs. If you’re realizing that your garage and home are in need of better security, give South Shore Locksmith a call. Our professional locksmiths are skilled and offer a variety of services to make your property safer for you and your family.
