It might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you’re thinking of ways to protect your home and family, but your garage truly is the first line of defense against home invaders.
What’s more, many new homeowners tend to forget that the garage can be quite a dangerous place if you have small children who don’t understand the hazards of rummaging around the garage when you’re not looking. For these and many other reasons, improving the safety and security of your garage should be one of your top priorities.
By opting for some budget-friendly upgrades and improvements in your garage (and the rest of the house), you can easily make your entire property more secure, while elevating the aesthetic appeal of the garage in the process. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the best garage safety tips that will safeguard your home, family, and possessions.
Install interior and exterior lighting
First things first, understand that a poorly-lit property is a home invader’s primary target, simply because it’s easy to approach without being seen, and because it gives out the impression that nobody is home. More often than not, homeowners will invest in interior lighting for the rest of the house, leaving the stock lightbulbs for the garage while the exterior is often left in the dark. This will often invite unwanted visitors to enter a home through the garage.
So, your first order of business should be to illuminate the perimeter around the garage with motion-sensor lighting, which will make it easier for you to navigate the property while deterring any intruders. You also have to make sure that the interior of the garage is well-lit as well to improve safety and minimize hazards for yourself and your kids if they’re playing in the garage.
Pay special attention to the doors and windows
Of course, the primary way home invaders enter a property is either through the door or an unlatched window, especially the garage window that homeowners tend to leave cracked open to air out the garage. It should go without saying that you need to improve the security of your doors and windows, which is also one of the best home improvement ideas, to prevent any unlawful entry, and of course, to prevent your kids and other family members from getting injured.
Start with the main garage door, and opt for a reliable model like galvanized steel – one that can be remotely operated but has manual control features as well. Don’t forget about the service door, and opt for a deadbolt lock. You can keep the windows open, but be sure to put up bars to prevent anyone from venturing inside. That said, it’s always better to keep the windows locked as well.
Don’t skimp on the insurance
While it is imperative that you secure the perimeter and the interior of the garage, it’s also important to note that there is always a possibility that someone will manage to break inside and steal the most valuable possession in it – your car. This is why having comprehensive insurance of your vehicle is so important nowadays, because, as a homeowner, you need to have the right insurance policy at your side to protect you from every eventuality.
After all, just because you parked your car in your garage doesn’t mean that someone won’t try to claim it for themselves.
Keep the garage clean and organized
When you’re working in your garage, perhaps sprucing up your car or doing some DIY work, or when your kids are exploring and playing, you want to make sure that all hazards are brought down to a minimum.
This means that you need to keep the space tidy and organized, and that you should keep all dangerous tools under lock and key. Cleaning the place regularly is a great way to maintain hygiene and the aesthetic appeal of the garage, and it will help you keep the interior as safe to dwell in as possible.
Invest in an alarm system
Choosing a home security system can be a complex and cumbersome task, however, it is necessary if you want to keep your property safe at all times. Of course, you can call in a professional to install a garage security system, or you can do it yourself by installing the aforementioned motion-sensor lighting, mounting motion-sensor cameras, and connecting the alarm system to your smartphone so that you can phone the authorities on a moment’s notice should the need arise.
Wrapping up
The garage is a common target for home invaders and thieves nowadays, simply because homeowners tend to prioritize other parts of their home when it comes to safety and security. With these tips in mind, though, you will have no problem keeping your garage safe and your home secure on all fronts.