Garages are often no more secure than a garden shed, and yet they are regularly used to house valuables like bikes, power tools, freezers, and motor vehicles.
The most vulnerable part of the garage is the main front door, but the security of any side doors and windows should also be considered.
If your garage is attached to the main house, pay particular attention to the door between the garage and the house, this may be used to gain entry to the home.
Additional security devises can be fitted to both wooden double doors and metal up and over doors.
The following steps can be taken to increase the security of your garage.
- Check that your household insurance policy covers theft from your garden and outbuildings.
- Install security lighting. A low energy fitting with a dawn to dusk sensor will be the cheapest to run and offer the greatest deterrent against crime.
- Remember to keep your garage doors closed at all times, do not advertise the contents to a potential criminal.
- Keep all doors and windows locked at all times, even if you are close by in your garden.
- If you do not use windows in the garage screw them shut from the inside.
- Replace any broken glass with laminated glass or polycarbonate.
- Fit wire mess on the inside of window frames.
- Fit a simple Shed/Garage Alarm.
- Install an anchor point inside the garage to secure items like motorbikes or ladders with a padlock.
- Wooden garage doors should be fitted with a rim latch (Yale type) and an additional mortice deadlock. With strong internal bolts top and bottom on the door that closes first.
- The up and over type of garage door should be fitted with appropriate padlock with hasp and staple on each side of the door.
- Fitting a plate across the top of the frame will reduce the gap between an up and over door and the top of the frame. This can prevent an offender reaching over and releasing the door from the outside.
- Mark all property in the garage using either UV, etching or Smartwater.