Advice on Adding Security to Detached Garage

[jimp]

If you have the internet available in your shop, cameras that will detect movement and email you pictures along with the alarm are cheap.

I have one on each corner of my shop (one camera covers the next), one at the doors for deterrent and two hidden inside covering the doors (no windows below 16') to get pictures of anyone that enters. The new IR camera work real good at night and +1 meg resolution will allow you to id anyone that gets caught. You can set up live and dead zones so critter don't trip the alarm if needed.

Mine send me a email with attached pictures to let me know someone is tresspassing and the outdoor cameras have the alarm and two way sound active so you can tell them the deputies are on the way and to run. All can be called up live on your phone, tablet or pc (this is my main reason for the cameras, so I can check in anytime anywhere I have cell service or the net.).

 

[RiverRider]

I lost about 98% of my tools about nine weeks ago and am in the process of replacing them. It's because of the theft that I ever found this forum, and I have to say a few other good things have come of it, like renewed drive to keep things in order. I'd grown pretty slack over the years.

My tools are just for my own use here at the house...I do most all of our automotive and house repairs, so I did not lose near as much as some of you guys have but it hurts nonetheless. I'm glad my insurance company is halfway decent and is being about as cooperative and helpful as I can expect. I originally thought I'd lost about $3000 worth of tools. Was I ever surprised to see that it was actually closer to $8000 worth! I guess it's a lot like when you move...you think you'll get the house empty in one truckload, and then it turns out to be 2-1/2.

Anyway, I'm replenishing my tools and have nearly finished replacing the vast majority of what was lost (to the best of my recollection). Right now the tools are all in the house with me, but at some point it will all have to go back out into the garage.

I have to admit that the loss was due to foolishness on my part. The garage is separate from the house and has a side entry door, and the lock on that door never did not work from the day I moved into this place. I never had a key to it anyway, and I figured it just wouldn't happen to me. Bad thinking, huh?

There's a working deadbolt on that door now, and I've fashioned a manual deadbolt using a 20-inch long piece of tool steel and it extends through several studs and about five inches into the door. I located it at about the height where someone might resort to kicking.

I am currently looking into surveillance systems and have a few ideas about what I want. Here's my list:

- four to eight cameras with night capability
- a DVR with ethernet connectivity
- software allowing remote viewing of any of the cameras
- ability to program the system to automatically display an intrusion on any wired device that's in use at that time

My house is pretty much wired and I've got a fairly extensive home network. If I can find the features and capabilities I want, NOTHING will happen at this house that I don't know about!

 

[Kevin54]

Put a sign up for Beware of Dog, but get a small dog. We have two miniature Shelties, and they can hear a flea fart at 100 yards away, I swear. They will growl a little, then if they hear something other then the flea, they will bark. Of course when they bark, then Sam the Hell Dog gets going.

I'm thinking about looking into these.http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P7EVST6/?tag=atomicindus08-20 Arlo wireless security cameras. They just came out in January of this year.

 

[Lassen Forge]

My thoughts on a security system...

Pick any 2. Install, maintain well, and sleep better at night.

 

[Kaizen]

I lost about 98% of my tools about nine weeks ago and am in the process of replacing them. . I originally thought I'd lost about $3000 worth of tools. Was I ever surprised to see that it was actually closer to $8000 worth! I guess it's a lot like when you move...you think you'll get the house empty in one truckload, and then it turns out to be 2-1/2.

This is the reason I randomly video my house, garage, tool boxes, etc.
Remembering everything we have is impossible and with a video even from a year ago you will still be able to document your stuff. started doing this when I know someone had a fire and they just happened to have a video their kid made for a friend showing their home. they were able to get a lot more from insurance with that documentation.

 

[Steve from Socal]

The best defense is still a strong offense. Keeping things out of sight and making it a real chore to get to anything is a strong deterrent. Even if somebody does break in, you want them to find nothing of value. Most thief's target opportunity, they know they only have a short time to grab something before possibly getting caught. Even cheap locks are a barrier to casual burglars

Yes it is a pain to put everything away every time you close up but, it greatly reduces the chance some punk will take your stuff. There is even a good argument for locking your cars in your own garage. Make your garage the garage from hell for a thief.

Steve

 

[RiverRider]

Put a sign up for Beware of Dog, but get a small dog. We have two miniature Shelties, and they can hear a flea fart at 100 yards away, I swear. They will growl a little, then if they hear something other then the flea, they will bark. Of course when they bark, then Sam the Hell Dog gets going.

I'm thinking about looking into these.http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P7EVST6/?tag=atomicindus08-20 Arlo wireless security cameras. They just came out in January of this year.

I learned about the Arlo system just the other day myself. I happened to be in Best Buy looking for Swann systems. Swann does not charge for their software services and whatever you can do over the internet, where the rest do as I understand it. It appears as though the Arlo system provides the same thing on a somewhat limited basis. It DOES look like a good system, though, and the fact that the cameras are wireless is very attractive.