Garage Safety - A Buyers Guide
Here in the UK, our garages play multiple roles. Because we tend to have less free space around the house, they become either storage spots for items we don’t need as regularly or house special belongings such as beloved family cars or DIY workshops. Either way, garages are an extension of our homes and, as such, need to have the same focus on safety and security as our front door does. Keeping your garage safe is easy with the right equipment and awareness of the hazards that exist. And, in this guide, we’ll walk you through garage safety and the things you should consider.
The Importance of Garage Safety
As we mentioned above, our garages are part of our homes. Here in the UK, a significant number of household break-ins happen through outhouses, such as garages. A report from Churchill Home Insurance found that 50% of all outbuildings that are affected are garages, with just 37% being sheds and 8% being bike sheds.
When we dedicate spaces in our homes for storing largely unused items, it’s easy to forget the value of these goods - especially when they’re all placed together. Sure, we may not need that running machine at the moment because we’re enjoying our weekly trips to the gym. But if we consider the value of that machine paired with, perhaps, a number of family bikes, unused DVD players or valuable artwork, it’s easy to see why garages are being hit so significantly. For us as homeowners, it is important that we take notice of garage security and ensure we’re taking the necessary measures to minimise this risk. Preventative measures are our best bet at reducing our chances of being hit by garage theft and keeping our belongings safe.
Preventing Break-Ins
When we think about stopping thieves and unwanted visitors from entering our homes, we invest heavily in home security. For example, the Ring video doorbell has become increasingly popular with many people investing in video monitoring in their homes so they can keep track, even when they’re out. However, we rarely pay the same attention to our garages. And, for a theft, these weak spots are prime targets. Preventing break-ins is something you can take active measures to do. And, here are our top tips.
- Make Sure Your Garage Door Is Always Kept Closed
It may seem like common knowledge, but because of the lack of attention we tend to give the goods in our garage, it's really easy to leave the door open. Whenever you’re not inside, make sure to shut the door and lock it if possible. This may seem inconvenient if you’re going in and out, but opportunistic thieves will stop at nothing to gain access.
- Use Lighting
Preventing break-ins is just as much about making the experience inconvenient as it is about preventing entry. Most burglaries are done on a whim and if there is something present that will potentially alter the homeowner of their presence, the thief is likely to take off. Consider installing a security light, such as the Byron Cob LED Security Floodlight. Fitted with a PIR Motion detector, it will illuminate the space around it upon detecting movement. And, this model has an easily adjustable head that means you can angle it towards the darkest areas of your garden too.
- Store Your Keys Somewhere Safe
Particularly true if you often access your garage from outside of your property, some homeowners choose to keep keys in ‘hidden’ spots. However, no matter how inconspicuous your hiding place may seem, it only takes one oversight for that spot to become known to potential thieves. Instead, you want to keep the keys somewhere secure. Maybe that means you have a copy attached to your car keys at all times. Or, you may consider having a secure key safe installed, such as the Fort Knox Small Combination Cabinet, Supplied with pre-drilled holes, it has a security strength level of 10. While you may be worried about people breaking into the key box, the noise this creates is usually enough to put a stop to their plans instantly anyways.
- Use the Right Locks
It pays to invest in the right locks and security for your garage doors. If you have an electric one, we recommend following the manufacturer’s instructions and making sure you maintain it appropriately for full work. However, if you have a padlock-style lock, we suggest opting for something like the Silverline Combination Disc Padlock in Stainless Steel. With the corrosion-resistant body and hardener steel shackle, it is incredibly hard to cut through or break. And, the 4-digit combination provides over 10,000 possible combinations making it highly unlikely that anybody could guess their way into your garage.
- Consider Real or Dummy CCTV
If you live in a high-crime area or are particularly concerned about the valuable goods in your garage, you may wish to consider CCTV. As long as these cameras only overlook your garden, you are free to have them installed wherever you want. For a less intrusive option, dummy CCTV like the Solar Powered Dummy CCTV Security Camera with LED has a very realistic look and can effectively ward off potential intruders too.
- Consider Where You Store Your Valuables
One of the best ways to deter theft from your garage is to keep your most valuable items stored elsewhere. Make sure any overlooking windows are covered and that you are cautious when putting valuable vehicles or machinery away.
Your garage is a handy and practical extension of your home and, for many of us, is vital to our family life. However, if it isn’t properly secured and monitored, theft and burglary can cause extensive financial and emotional damage. At Sealant & Tools Direct, we stock a wide range of security products designed to help you deal with these threats effectively. If you cannot find the right garage security product here or would like to speak to a member of the team, please do get in contact with us here today.