Garage Security Tips?

[coppah37]

New to the forum and I've seen a lot of really nice setups. But what about security? I live in a rural part of town and my biggest fear is having somebody back a truck up to my garage and load it up. I keep the doors closed and locked and my tool box locked but what else can I do?

What are some things that you do to keep people honest?

 

[Clik]

Camera systems have gotten pretty affordable. I have a system that I can check eight cameras from my smart phone. I'm in a rural area that will prosecute and will give thieves long prison terms. I've had shops in an around Washington, DC where cameras didn't do jack because the local government won't prosecute. If they do they just let 'em loose because they only have room for the most violent offenders. In that case you have to build a fortress. A local truck dealer in the DC area had to put concrete barricades around their fenced lot to keep thieves from driving through the fence. A pawn shop filled the second floor attic with razor wire because thieves who couldn't breech the concrete walls and steel doors were cutting through the roof and dropping in. Prince George's County (DC suburb) outlawed aggressive dogs and put all the guard dog services out of business. They protect their criminals 'cause they're all kin. What type of building are you trying to protect? Wood frame? Block? Steel? Neighbors?

 

[nine4gmc]

I installed an old car alarm at my last shop on a 12v power supply with 9v battery backup. There was only 3 doors, no windows(without bars) so it was a real easy hookup to the 3 magnet switches. I had a siren in both rooms and one in the attic vent facing front, along with an old school yellow revolving light(wish I kept that light) under the soffit. It certainly won't stop anyone from stealing but may make them think twice when there are lights and sirens going off...

 

[justin1795]

is not true prevention but anything that makes it harder is better. I think even with the cameras it all comes down to how much work the police is willing to put in. 10,000 isn't a big deal to them.

 

[zkling]

Try to make things as inconvenient as possible for people to take. Chains, bolts, weight, blocking. Anything that would slow someone down and deter theft. Unfortunately nothing is truly theft proof, but thankfully most thieves are pretty lazy so anything that can be an inconvenience to them is great.

Mostly, try to not advertise what you have. Out in a rural location that might be a bit more difficult. But I'll drive by and see peoples garage doors wide open, lights on allowing passing people to see everything they have. Not a good idea in my mind. Especially if they have anything that looks nice, shiny, new or basically valuable.

One that I am still laughing about is recently a local genius stole a flat bed with plans to smash through and steal a portable ATM. The attached cables and truck bed height prevented his success and the bright Gorton's fisherman outfit probably didn't help.

I installed an old car alarm at my last shop on a 12v power supply with 9v battery backup. There was only 3 doors, no windows(without bars) so it was a real easy hookup to the 3 magnet switches. I had a siren in both rooms and one in the attic vent facing front, along with an old school yellow revolving light(wish I kept that light) under the soffit. It certainly won't stop anyone from stealing but may make them think twice when there are lights and sirens going off...

Sounds like the only thing you were missing was the electrified fishing net.

 

[nine4gmc]

Sounds like the only thing you were missing was the electrified fishing net.

Only because I did not think of that, thanks for the idea on my next shop!

 

[strnge]

Camera systems have gotten pretty affordable. I have a system that I can check eight cameras from my smart phone. I'm in a rural area that will prosecute and will give thieves long prison terms. I've had shops in an around Washington, DC where cameras didn't do jack because the local government won't prosecute. If they do they just let 'em loose because they only have room for the most violent offenders. In that case you have to build a fortress. A local truck dealer in the DC area had to put concrete barricades around their fenced lot to keep thieves from driving through the fence. A pawn shop filled the second floor attic with razor wire because thieves who couldn't breech the concrete walls and steel doors were cutting through the roof and dropping in. Prince George's County (DC suburb) outlawed aggressive dogs and put all the guard dog services out of business. They protect their criminals 'cause they're all kin. What type of building are you trying to protect? Wood frame? Block? Steel? Neighbors?

I grew up in PG COunty in the 1980's. It is a **** hole now because of the forced school integration from poor neighborhoods from Washington DC that was happening in the late 80's. As a mater of fact, 2 months ago my old house had a home invasion and the owner shot and killed 2 of the 3. My entire town was good back then, with no crime. I would never go back to even visit.

As far as security. You can also add beware of dog signs. Just the site of them will get people to avoid your place. It happens daily at mine.

 

[Aaxmym]

Here's something about garage door openers I thought was interesting. Maybe you guys will too.

 

[Toolman12]

This seems to work very well

 

[waterss]

I also live in the middle of no where. Camera's work at catching the thieves not stopping the act. Most likely they would have already got ride of your things by the time the police find them. I still have cammera's but they are all hidden. I don't want them to know about them that way once they are inside maybe they will let their gaurd down and I will get a better picture of them.What we did is we built a secured tool room with a commercial steel entry door with a double dead bolt, 3/4" decking inside and out and cattle panel from tractor supply cut and installed between each stud. If they can get to the shop they will have their work cut out for them to get to the expensive things. But they would have to get to the building. We have 3 dogs oaming the property 1 being a anti social pit bull (I really don't think he even likes me but because I feed him he tolerates me.).

 

[Arps]

Here's something about garage door openers I thought was interesting. Maybe you guys will too.

Never even thought about that. Ill be throwing a zip tie on mine tonight.

 

[Sconnie]

I read it here on someone else's garage thread, but I put window privacy film on the lower half of all of my garage windows. Still lets in plenty of light, but your average thief can't see anything inside, so the effort of breaking in is of unknown value.

I have no idea if that enters the thinking of the average thief, but I figure it can't hurt.

 

[shooting4life]

Criminals rarely break into places without knowing what is there. They find this by looking into garages by driving by, or they know someone who does deliveries or has some other reason to go to someone's house. Keep anything that says "tools" hidden away in a cabinet of some sort.

 

[Kingcreek]

I live in a remote area and have a good quality home alarm system with add-ons covering the shop including entry, PIR motion sensors, and fire. My homeowners insurance gives me a discount that almost covers the annual monitoring/service contract.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Only took nine posts before the dog picture appeared. Get good locks and make sure the door jamb is reinforced (they will try to kick the door open), cover the windows if you have them, get a security system, don't advertise what you have in the garage, make sure you have insurance coverage for your tools or other items in there.

Nothing will prevent them if they are determined enough, but they look for easy pickings. If it's difficult to break in they'll try somewhere else.

 

[Nexussian]

No windows, or a framed in panel behind (inside?) the window if exterior windows are required by some building code in your area.

A fellah near me beat that by only putting windows to the attic of the garage he had built a few years back.

Lowest window is over 20' off the ground IIRC.

Best I recall, local covenance required the windows so it didn't look like a warehouse or other commercial building.

 

[jchetty]

Only took nine posts before the dog picture appeared. Get good locks and make sure the door jamb is reinforced (they will try to kick the door open), cover the windows if you have them, get a security system, don't advertise what you have in the garage, make sure you have insurance coverage for your tools or other items in there.

Nothing will prevent them if they are determined enough, but they look for easy pickings. If it's difficult to break in they'll try somewhere else.

You sir speak volumes of truth. Many don't get this simple, yet powerful idea.

Alarm that calls your phone, camera with remote video/audio access (I have installed a few DLinks with great success), cover windows, and either work with the door closed or park a car to block the view.

If someone breaks into my garage and I am not home, my camera is set up to email motion pics. I will call the cops, tell them there is an intruder, and tell them I believe they are armed. Living 2 blocks from the police station- that will probably send in the National Guard

This is a buddy's garage. Pic taken right now, I am home about 40 minutes away.. No windows so this is an infrared shot. Cameras are so cheap- why not. Find someone who is tech savy.. Security is about layers. Make it take longer to gain access and give the thieves less time to take stuff before the authorities arrive.

 

[Nexussian]

Not that I would recommend booby trapping your garage, but I seem to recall someone on the HAMB commenting that their family sign shop commonly had a neon transformer "testing" overnight.

It seems that while on the test bench (on a timer as I recall) one of the electrodes tended to be close to the doorknob.

I seem to recall a claim that if the timer failed to turn off, touching the doorknob was painful, but caused no injury.

Or something like that.

 

[jdepiero]

Hi Guys,
new to the forum. All good posts. I have ADT and the problem with them or any company is the response time. I live in a rural area and by the time the sheriff arrives most of my stuff can be hauled off. In addition to ADT I have CS gas that will trip with the alarm is tripped. I bought it from a company called burglar bomb. they have cheaper systems that are simpler and tripped by a wire. I also have the system in my house. easy to install. I think about $500for the set up.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Booby trapping your garage with CS gas (also known as tear gas) is not a wise idea.

 

[sracer99]

Not that I would recommend booby trapping your garage, but I seem to recall someone on the HAMB commenting that their family sign shop commonly had a neon transformer "testing" overnight.

It seems that while on the test bench (on a timer as I recall) one of the electrodes tended to be close to the doorknob.

I seem to recall a claim that if the timer failed to turn off, touching the doorknob was painful, but caused no injury.

Or something like that.

neon transformers don't do damage, but they hurt. Long ago i worked in a sign shop where the neon bender, who had a workbench that had a steel frame with a wood top, liked to hook one up and just wait for someone to come by and lean on an edge. Always got the new guys.

 

[hogdoc]

This seems to work very well

Any dog is easily defeated with a $5 steak and a bowl of antifreeze!

 

[sloppy]

Any dog is easily defeated with a $5 steak and a bowl of antifreeze!

Yeah well if the local crackhead has a steak and a car to get antifreeze out of that might help him.. Other wise a noisy dog is pretty handy for making noise..

 

[indianbullet]

Booby trapping your garage with CS gas (also known as tear gas) is not a wise idea.

CS is BEYOND tear gas. CN Chloroacetophenone the scent that makes the homies moan, as we used to say is typical tear gas.
Both highly controlled by law enforcement and military ONLY.
If your in a locked 10 story room with only a window and CS is popped you will jump out it.

 

[hogdoc]

Yeah well if the local crackhead has a steak and a car to get antifreeze out of that might help him.. Other wise a noisy dog is pretty handy for making noise..

Noisy dogs are a lot like car alarms...mostly ignored!

 

[unslow1]

Mine has an alarm on it. They really aren't that expensive. Make sure you "accidentally" set it off at least once. You want everyone to know it has one on it.

 

[coppah37]

First off, my dogs are beagles all howl no bite unfortunately. I had a few ideas of my own mostly basic compared to you guys with tear gas!! I'd like to setup an alarm and definitely set it off once after 5 pm when everyone seems to be home or on a weekend. My fathers house was broken into when I was younger by our neighbor and it always bothered me that he left his stuff so wide open. Up here in NH people tend to leave stuff unlocked on the outskirts of town especially. Recently it seems like nearby towns have been having a lot of car break ins and such so it got me thinking.

I plan on taking the casters off my tool boxes and keeping the drawers locked when not in use maybe also securing them by chain or cable to an anchor in the floor. I don't ever roll my boxes around so its no inconvenience to me there. I know some folks that have had their nice snap on rollers hauled away never to be seen again. I also plan on adding an anti kick plate on my side door. I have a bunch of tricks to keep anyone from ever trying to startup my mustang or racecar and joy riding them but I'll keep those to myself

I'd like to hear some more ideas if you have them.

 

[mdbeck1]

.....

I have a bunch of tricks to keep anyone from ever trying to startup my mustang or racecar and joy riding them but I'll keep those to myself
...

Just put a toggle switch on the power wire to the coil. You can put it under the dash if you like or leave it under the hood.

...or put one on the electric fuel pump....

 

[Aaxmym]

Never even thought about that. Ill be throwing a zip tie on mine tonight.

Mine's done. Took about 10 seconds.

 

[Playwme]

Good insurance is your best bet.

 

[Bigplum]

get some geese , noisy as , males very territorial , their peck is painful and leaves a good bruise

 

[Sconnie]

Other than the security film on the windows, I had my garage built with no exterior doors other than the garage doors. I have "carriage door" type garage doors with windows at the top, you'd need a step ladder to look in the windows or to try and hook the release (I will be adding some zip-ties as insurance, tho). I just installed a camera that covers the front of the house and the garage as both a deterrent and to capture anyone trying to break in. I also have two hidden "trail cam" style cameras mounted in locations that will catch license plates of anyone pulling into the driveway or near my barn.

Bigplum, we used to have geese, but they were so noisy we couldn't take it anymore! They honked at everything, even us.

 

[Rst277]

I second the geese idea. Distilleries in Scotland use them and they cannot be bribed! also taste better than turkey.

 

[Coolabah]

Any dog is easily defeated with a $5 steak and a bowl of antifreeze!

... not so sure !

20 years ago - I had a lot of friends who "show" dogs- they were all really worried about someone doing exactly this in an effort to make the dog lose ( didn't really ask at the time , I assumed sedative/laxative etc )

I did lose a wonderful dog a long time ago who ate a fox bait that he found in a local park - I knew the council was baiting but my dog got out from the yard... this was before i understood dog training , we were both too young..

I have since then always trained my dogs to wait for an "eat" command. Sounds mean , but I also had toddlers at the time...

-my dogs would never grab an item of food left on say the dinner table/coffee table/floor WITHOUT permission ( way diferent from my next door neighbour who thought it was funny when her dog grabbed the hamburger right out of my hand... )

One story I have is when I was preparing the evening meal for my 2 dogs, I then get them to sit.... then all hell broke loose my (at the time) 4 year old had fallen and badly gashed his chin. Mate I literally drove away to the hospital with my son , left all the doors wide open and didn't give a sh!t at the time. Long story short- was seen pretty quick in A&E , but still got home 3 hours later. I still feel AWEFUL about this , but both dogs were STILL sitting in front of their dinner bowls , around a gallon of drool on the porch but they hadn't even touched their food... mate a good dog is hard to find but these were the best I've ever had as part of my pack.
I'm pretty sure that this is probably basic dog training 101 for any pro guard-dog ?

So , I am pretty confident my dogs, and any half-serious guard dog, would not eat that juicy steak....

** edit : blame Hollywood, of course you get by any guard dog with a steak or maybe just throw a tennis ball or give them a tummy rub or look them in the eye and some sort of Ninja freak them out with your brain stuff- in real life you would have to shoot them . Not good for a G rating on your movie....

 

[mrpowderkeg]

 

[tr7sprint]

You can install a chamberlain garage system which alerts you when you garage door is opened on your smart phone. You can also set it up to close your door turn on or off lights thru your cell phone.

NFI, just a happy customer, plus I freak my wife out every time I tell her what time she left for work.