We all know the age old saying: Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.
It’s as meaningful now as it was in the late 1700’s when the Italians first referenced such a formidable proverb.
Your garage door is one of many entrances a thief can use to gain access to your home. Let’s not give them the upper hand and ensure your garage door is correctly installed and regularly maintained to deter thieves from using your garage door as an easy access to your home.
Here are some proven (and simple) deterrents that can help prevent first and future break-ins:
- Keep your garage door opener inside the house.
You want to make it as hard as possible for thieves to break into your car or home.
Keeping an opener in the car invites criminals to not only break into your car, but then into your home.
- Ensure all manually operated doors fitted with locking mechanisms are locked when closed.
- Install motion sensing lights.
All thieves prefer to work in the dark, they simply don’t want to be seen.
Sensor lights makes a would-be-crim visible when they are trying to remain hidden and out of sight, and maintaining well-lit areas-particularly your garage, is a great deterrent.
If you are not able to park your car in your secure garage at night, then make sure it is parked in a well-lit area. Motion sensors are again perfect for this!
- Blinds/Curtains/Shutters on the windows.
The less a burglar can see the better! It’s that simple. Keep your windows covered and your contents organised. Always keep valuables out of sight and try taking some time to organising your garage. This will not only open up the space but improve on home security.
- Keep your vehicles in your Garage
If you can keep your vehicles in your garage, then we recommend you do – all the time. The less visually inviting items on display for a criminal, the better.
- Install a home alarm system.
While this could be a more expensive alternative, an alarm system is a great deterrent that not only protects your belongings but your loved ones as well.
- ALWAYS keep your vehicle locked.
It doesn’t matter if it’s at home, at the shopping centre or even whilst you’re driving. If its locked, it’s harder (and more time consuming) for a criminal to get in. Trust us, you’re doing yourself a favour.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
We all know about neighbourhood watch and hopefully we all know our neighbours. Keeping an eye on what’s happening in your street and/or suburb is great for staying one step ahead of the curve when it comes to crime in your area. If you see something strange or suspicious behaviour, let someone (Police included) know.
LET’S TALK STATS
- A barking dog has a 60% chance of deterring a thief.
- A working alarm system has 50% chance.
- Sensor lights on the outside of the property will deter 20% of thieves.
- Grilled windows/doors at 19%.
- Visibility of the property from the road – 14%.
- Gates will provide 12%
With crime on the rise in Western Australia, A Grade Garage Doors Shutters and Gates knows the importance of keeping your home safe and having a working Garage Door.
If your Garage Door starts to make strange squealing noises when you open and close it, or starts opening again just as you’ve hit the button to close it, call one of our friendly team members who are only too happy to arrange for a technician to come out and get your door back working, and back protecting your home.
