Security measures for your garage

[ozyborn]

Motion lights that are well out of reach but show all sides of my garage. No garage door opener and I keep it locked with a padlock as well. Solid wood entry door with the 4 hinges and deadbolt security plates with long screws in all. Oh, plus the doggydoor in garage with my 2 Dogs that prefer to stay outside and they have free access to the garage and yard. Fenced in yard but the gates stay open. Dogs do not leave the yard. God help you if you threaten the kiddos

 

[alexb2000]

One thing I did recently was make some changes to my insurance to schedule tools, trailers, tractors, etc.

I was shocked when I found out that my trailers were not insured if they were stolen off my property. Same with my tractor, skid steer, etc. Insuring all of that for any kind of loss was less then $200 a year.

For my tools I have a blanket "tool" allowance scheduled on my homeowners insurance of $200K. This was also really cheap, about $150.

Anyway, lots of great advice above, but things can still happen, fire, flood, etc.

 

[Garage1]

Wow, I didn't know you needed so much security in the US! I'm in South Africa and crime is rife - and it is not petty stuff. Our first line of defense is a walled property - generally with electric fencing on top and an automatic gate. Our first issue tends to be the guys getting through the gate.

 

[alexb2000]

Wow, I didn't know you needed so much security in the US! I'm in South Africa and crime is rife - and it is not petty stuff. Our first line of defense is a walled property - generally with electric fencing on top and an automatic gate. Our first issue tends to be the guys getting through the gate.

I remember walking around Florence and being amazed by contractors leaving nice tools just lying in the back of those little work trucks they use. Then it dawned on me, no pawn shops in Italy.

Here in the U.S. drug addicts look to steal anything they can instantly convert into cash and pawn shops and metal recycling yards are the place to do it. So they steal what can easily be pawned; tools, equipment, and guns top the list. Since a lot of us here have a lot of money invested in the former we think about protecting it.

High walls and gates would be nice, but our neighborhood groups would never allow it.

 

[engineer2]

Motion lights, noisy dog, watchful neighbors, garage door remotes hidden in the dash and wired to operate only when the key is on.

Walling your property is uncommon in the US except in affluent neighborhoods and in some cities. I suspect it may become more common in the suburbs if petty crime keeps increasing.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Wow, I didn't know you needed so much security in the US!

It isn't as bad as it sounds...remember, there are a lot of paranoid people on this board.

 

[rlitman]

It isn't as bad as it sounds...remember, there are a lot of paranoid people on this board.

We value our tools.

 

[6768rogues]

When I go away overnight, I turn off the breakers to the door openers. I have seen lightning strikes open the doors and burn out the operators on several occasions.
When we are away longer, I put C clamps on the door tracks right above the wheels.
Shotgun.
Insurance.

 

[Alexander]

You guys have fortresses compared to my setup. I feel like I may as well put all my tools and equipment out on the sidewalk with a 'Free' sign.

I used to padlock both man doors (don't have any overhead doors), but one of the padlocks stopped working so I basically scrapped that idea. Doors don't have knobs, so they're just pulled shut. Sometimes opened by strong wind or stray cats. Even the squirrel doesn't have any problems getting in. My motion sensor lights don't work, and I haven't tried to figure out what's wrong with them yet beyond changing the bulbs. My fence has large openings (no gates), I'm in the middle of a village on a busy street, no pets, no cars in the driveway when I'm not home, windows are unlocked and not obscured (no closure mechanisms on them anyway), no alarms or security system, no neighbors I'm close enough with that might ask questions, but at least the police station is right up the road so they drive by frequently. Oh, and I've had random craigslisters inside when I've sold stuff in the past.

I suppose if I kept my main toolbox here it might be different, but probably not by much. I even leave that unlocked full time at work so the guys can use my specialty tools when I'm in the office.

I'm guessing the main differences come from my young age, trusting nature, and the idea that such a messy place feels like it wouldn't be a target. This is completely wrong and a bad perspective to have, but it's how I have been living.

Maybe it's time to make some changes?

 

[dthor68]

Do you guys live in Iraq? geez!

Could not agree with you more! I do one thing, shut my garage door. During the day it is open. I am not going to say I am not paranoid. For instance, today I have had blood in my urine and I am scared that I have got another kidney stone. But hey, no pain so far!

 

[Candoo]

I always use steel commercial doors. The doors hug the frame and require great effort to pry open. Passage and dead bolts. Never have windows at ground level.

 

[GS-Louie]

Our garage is separate. We have an alarm system installed that it attached to our house system. The garage is on it's own partition so can be armed even if we are home. The overhead doors have dead bolts on the tracks. The man door also has a dead bolt. The windows have blinds in them that are closed when I am not in it. The alarm has glass break sensors, door alarms and motion detectors. Even if it goes off when we are home I will wait for the sheriff to get here before going out. Nothing in there is irreplaceable.

Lou

 

[brownbagg]

move to a nicer neighborhood

 

[Lelandwelds]

for the most part, nobody has any interest in whats inside my garage.
most couldnt identify 5% of what's in there

it's dark, dusty, dirty and full of cobwebs....

wife rarely goes in there unless her car is parked inside, and that hasnt happened in over a year, even the dog stays out

An in law died. I was helping clean out his place and found some of my stolen items. After some pointed questions, his friends and family came clean. I now know who his co-thief is also.

I tore down the old workshop. The new one will have layered security with SFIC locks.

 

[dthor68]

An in law died. I was helping clean out his place and found some of my stolen items. After some pointed questions, his friends and family came clean. I now know who his co-thief is also.

I tore down the old workshop. The new one will have layered security with SFIC locks.

Normally when something is stolen from you, it is taken by someone that you or your kids know. Someone who has seen what you have and knows exactly where it is located. The best security to have is knowing your friends and family well.

Personally, I never worry about anything, well minus those kidney stones. My father in law is the complete opposite, paranoid! I have always wondered if the 24 hr News channel, that he loves to watch, are the blame? People just seem so paranoid today. It is good to be smart, but lord...

 

[TarheelMechanic]

Petty crime does not keep increasing. They have halved since the 70’s.

Total BS.

 

[engineer2]

Petty crime does not keep increasing. They have halved since the 70’s.

Not in the Chicago suburbs. We never had car break-ins and stolen vehicles when we first moved in. Now it's common.

 

[ozyborn]

I keep the deadbolt locked, the large garage door has a padlock on the inside.(garages are for guy, not parking cars), oh and Brutus and Rosie. 2 GS that have free rein of yard and garage. Good luck. They like sleeping in the garage. Lol

 

[Lelandwelds]

Petty crime does not keep increasing. They have halved since the 70’s.

Not exactly true if you get specific. It varies by area, exact crime, and info source. Some agencies intentionally under report and miscategorize.

Violent crime has decreased primarily due to aging population.

 

[Mpower5266]

Locks, a dog, several guns, and the high ground should I catch someone in the act. Other than that not much. I have thought about a camera set up and an alarm but thats just for my wifes piece of mind when I am traveling..

 

[GMCGarage]

Installed steel doors and angles a few weeks ago, door lock is a HK-2-F3 scanner. It would be quicker to break thru the wall than get thru this door. Garage door is pinned above rollers. Garage door motor on timer, only works with remote for a couple hours, any other time have to go inside to open.

Tool boxes locked up when gone, keys in biometric box in wall.

 

[Joeyboy]

I have a big siamese cat that will scare that **** out of anyone he doesn't know in the garage.

 

[porschen]

Having a smart security system such as ADT is worth it for the peace of mind. And the obvious things that were already mentioned like a good deadbolt, long hinge and striker plate screws, etc.

 

[Emmo213]

Installed steel doors and angles a few weeks ago, door lock is a HK-2-F3 scanner. It would be quicker to break thru the wall than get thru this door. Garage door is pinned above rollers. Garage door motor on timer, only works with remote for a couple hours, any other time have to go inside to open.

Tool boxes locked up when gone, keys in biometric box in wall.

You have a $3k lock on your garage?!?

 

[hattitude]

Lucky for me, most lots in the neighborhood are 1.5+ acres. The neighbors think my little shop is a spare bedroom/granny flat...

Besides, my dogs like to hang out front, and their favorite potty spot is behind the shop, by the fence....

You'd be hard pressed to get near it without them alerting to your presence...

 

[roguegts]

Lucky for me, most lots in the neighborhood are 1.5+ acres. The neighbors think my little shop is a spare bedroom/granny flat...

Besides, my dogs like to hang out front, and their favorite potty spot is behind the shop, by the fence....

You'd be hard pressed to get near it without them alerting to your presence...

Danes?

 

[rwa2004]

I am going to give an unpopular opinion.

I think if you give a look at statistics, you find the vast majority of break-ins are by a perpetrator familiar with place. Restaurants/businesses are robbed by employees and ex-employees. When it comes to your personal property - the biggest factor is what kind of characters do you allow to get close to you.

I have a property I never lock up. It is a work in progress so lots of tools and materials and often unoccupied. It is not in a good area. 100 yrds away is a drug dealer who is constantly in trouble. Everytime he goes to jail for a few months his place is ransacked. I know for a fact that my place has gone untouched.

Choose your friends wisely - I can't help but to think that many who have troubles invite it on themselves. I know many instances of where it is the truth.

 

[drewsifer714]

QUOTE=Alexander;7260484]You guys have fortresses compared to my setup. I feel like I may as well put all my tools and equipment out on the sidewalk with a 'Free' sign.[/QUOTE]

I could do that! No one would take a thing. I live in the country, and we are just starting out. Best security system, all my neighbors have better stuff than I do. Lol.
Sh*t, I've left my garage door open for a week because there was some sh*t in the way and wouldn't close. I mean really, it would have taken me 2 mins to move the whatever. Instead I went to work. Nobody wants a million half finished projects. Scrap isn't high enough to warrant to fuel to haul it.

Hell I don't think we even lock the house.
There is a good dog though. He's a lightweight at 50lbs. But he's faster than any person will ever be, and doesn't care for being woken up in the middle of the day.
Pure bred Australian Shepherds aren't know for being slow or dumb.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Just closed the neighbors door last night. It was half open.

Story Time !

About 25 years ago, my neighbor and I would watch each others house when we were out of town. In his case it also meant letting the dog out at last once a day, plus food and water for their menagerie.

One day I noticed I had not seen them or their kids around for a few days. The wife concurred and pointed out that she had not seen anyone stopping by and that there was mail and newspapers piling up. So I went over, open the back gate and walked in the house through the unlocked door ! The dog went tearing outside (he had already done his business more than once in the basement) and the cats looked pretty hungry.

When they got home I mentioned my service. He looked at the wife and she looked at him and they said, "Didn't you tell them we would be away ?"

 

[theoldwizard1]

She complied. I called 2 minutes later and she was on the phone with the dispatcher and me while holding her 1911 chambered in 9mm while this guy started trying different doors on the house.

This past year a (different) neighbor asked If I had seen the buy in the black car parked across the street. We all know what everyone daily driver looks like. She said she called the cops and then made sure her Glock was loaded and on the kitchen counter !

 

[HenryAZ]

A simple thing, but remove the rope that hangs down for disconnecting the opener and opening the door manually. Thieves reach through with a wire and pull that rope. Even with no windows in the door, its location is easy enough to *****. You can make a hook out of #6 copper wire to use if you ever need to disconnect the opener.

 

[A**holes Garage]

A simple thing, but remove the rope that hangs down for disconnecting the opener and opening the door manually. Thieves reach through with a wire and pull that rope. Even with no windows in the door, its location is easy enough to *****. You can make a hook out of #6 copper wire to use if you ever need to disconnect the opener.

I fabricated a steel angle that prevents a remote release on the garage door.

Plus, my cop buddy told me of some break in where the perps cut a hole in the garage door (the ones without windows) and access the door release that way.

 

[tec508]

I live in the woods, work weird unpredictable hours, and I utilize the 2nd amendment.

Also: A solid door that stays locked, high quality cameras, lights everywhere, guests in the shop are few and far between leaving it's contents elusive.