5 Must-Read Tips for Garage Safety and Security

Last year, the Thames Valley Police reported various instances of garage break-ins across Henley-on-Thames, pointing to an enduring home security risk in our community. This is not to mention the numerous accidents that can occur in your garage given the kind of equipment usually stored there. In fact, Public Health England details that some 370,000 children are rushed to emergency rooms as a result of garage-related incidents every year. So if you want to avoid being another statistic, read on for tips to keep your garage safe and secure.

Keep Windows Covered

For starters, it’s important to understand that most break-ins are financially motivated. This means that perpetrators don’t necessarily want to break into your house, they just want your prized belongings. Now, seeing as most of these perpetrators plan weeks — if not months — ahead, they most likely have scoped your place out and have deemed it worth breaking into. One easy way to prevent this is by not even giving them the opportunity to look into your property. So cover your windows. If they can’t see anything worth stealing, then it may deter them from breaking into your garage in the first place.

Surveillance and Security

To be able to protect your home from break-ins, it’s helpful to look at what the data says. For instance, UK homes with no security measures in place are five times more likely to be burgled than those with simple security measures. Now, imagine what a full-fledged security system can do.

The Guardian reports that half of all burglars find that a CCTV camera is one of the best deterrents to stop break-ins. If it looks like your garage is hard to break into, it could well be what stops intruders from breaking in because they’ll probably think there’s a chance they will get caught.

In addition, more advanced technology like door and glass break sensors will notify authorities right away of any attempted break-ins. This is important as most break-ins occur when homeowners are away. While you’re at it, installing motion detectors will also go a long way to securing your home, too.

Garage Door

In addition to shiny new security technology, the right garage door could make all the difference in preventing a burglary. The variety of garage doors listed on Screwfix come with advanced locking and anti-drop devices, both of which are critical for safety and security. These ensure that not only is your garage kept safe from intruders, but that your family can be spared from any unfortunate accidents in the unlikely event that a cable breaks. While it’s necessary to keep intruders out, keeping your home a safe space for your loved ones is equally as important.

Garage Safety Precautions

Your garage door is probably one of the heaviest objects in your house, making it not just an important aspect of garage security, but also one of the more dangerous things in your home. This is why it’s important to be mindful of safety precautions for working with and around it.

For instance, children playing with the garage remote can lead to some catastrophic accidents, so be sure to keep it somewhere that’s at least 1.5 metres off the ground. Another tip is to never leave your garage door partially open as activation during this state could cause it to drop down, potentially causing damage to whatever is beneath it. Lastly, if your garage door ever needs repairs, it would be best to hire a professional to do it. Repairing it yourself could cause unexpected mechanical failures that could lead to serious accidents down the road.

Lock the Overhead Door

Last but not least, if you know you’re going to be away on holiday it would be best to lock your overhead door, as this will undoubtedly increase your garage’s security. However, take note that this isn’t advisable to do when you are around the house, as it could be a potential fire hazard. But if you are going to be away for some time, The Telegraph goes even further by saying that it would be in your best interest to not publicise your holiday plans on social media sites — this can read like an open invitation to burglars looking to get their hands on whatever is in your garage.