A bustling city in California, Stockton, is often regarded as one of the most unsafe cities in the United States. Figures suggest that 1 in 23 people in Stockton have a possibility of being a victim of violent or property crime. The chances of one being a victim of a violent crime are one in 79, while the chances of facing a property crime are one in 32. Incidentally, motor vehicle theft is one of the most common crimes in Stockton. These figures are not to scare you but to help you make your mind to secure your homes. One of the most common routes criminals enter homes is through garages. Offenders have found innovative ways to break through your garage doors without alerting you. Garages are an extremely important space in our house, yet we often take our garage doors for granted until we face problems with them. Automated garage openers eliminate the need for us to go closer to the door at all. Therefore, it is essential that garage doors need to be secured properly to make them the first line of defense against thieves and burglars.
Think Like a Criminal
Though it might sound odd, take a few minutes to walk around the house and garage, thinking of ways a burglar might enter your home. Criminals often exploit the weakness in your property, and thinking like them will ensure that you find those weaknesses and fix them. Make a note of all problematic areas, such as lighting, landscape, possible entry points, and more. Identifying the most vulnerable spots in your garage and around the house will give you a better idea of how safe you are.
Frequently inspect your Garage Doors
If your house has garage doors that need to be manually operated, make sure to close them as soon as you are done using them. For automatic doors, make sure you remove all obstructions from its path to avoid leaving open spaces. Offenders can later use these spaces to jimmy the door open and enter your house. Over time, gaps can develop between the ground and the bottom of your garage door due to rain and wear and tear. So ensure that they are addressed as soon as they occur by contacting companies that offer garage door repair in Stockton.
Check your Sensors
Most modern-day garage doors come with automatic sensors to open and close and additional safety sensors. These sensors need to be strategically placed for optimum functioning. They might not be properly aligned while installing and refuse to function properly. Even if they do, it is always a good idea to keep checking them frequently as any obstruction might hamper their performance.
A Detached Garage
This might be more relevant for people building a new garage or buying/renting a new house with a garage. It is good to have the garage detached from the main structure as an additional layer of security. An attached garage often tempts offenders as they provide easy access into your house. If you have a garage that leads into the main house, it would be better to block the door from inside and use the main garage door. If you want to continue using both doors, make sure to additionally secure both doors so that no one can use them to enter your homes.
Use Proper Lighting
Make sure there is proper lighting in and around your garage. Remember, darkness invites evil. Having a well-lit garage inside and out will deter bad elements from targeting your house. Many use dark shadowy areas around your garage to hide their attempt at entering your homes. Using motion-detecting lights near garage doors and windows and around your landscaping will make the thieves think multiple times before breaking in. Motion detecting lights are also helpful around garages that are detached from the main house.
Secure your Garage Windows
If your garage has windows, then make sure that they are secured and, if possible, covered. An uncovered garage window gives burglars a peak into your house and all your belongings. Use grills and curtains to hide the interior of the garage. If you do not want to worry about remembering to close the blinds or want to let light in without displaying your interiors, you may also consider using window films and sticking them to the glass of your windows.
Rethink your Garage Lock and Remote
Make sure your garage lock and remote are not openly displayed. Whether automatic or manual, keep the garage lock well hidden from view and do not leave garage doors remote in and around your cars or garage. Your garage keys are like another key into your home, and thieves will not hesitate to use them. Keep your remote at you all times, and extra remotes are well hidden in the house. There is also the option of using smart door openers that you can operate from your smartphones.
There is nothing worse than returning home and finding that your garage or home has been broken into. Schedule an appointment with garage door repair services in Stockton frequently to ensure that there are no problems with it. Stay Safe.
