There are over 2.5 million burglaries every year in the United States with 66% of those being home break-ins. The garage is the largest entry point into your home with 9% of burglaries beginning here. The average burglar is quick and only takes one minute to enter your home and usually spends an average of ten minutes inside your home.
Many of us are guilty of the “It Won’t Happen to Me” mentality. This optimism bias makes us believe that we are more likely to experience positive outcomes rather than negative ones. You hear of a relative or friend having a burglary and convince yourself that a home burglary would never happen to you. You lock your doors – most of the time- and live in a safe part of town. So far, nothing bad has happened. But what about if a break-in does happen? What can do you to help prevent any unwanted activity in your home?
Help keep your home safe with these tips to thwart potential break-ins- starting by first protecting your garage.
1.) Be Alerted of All Activity in Your Garage with Genie’s Aladdin Connect
The Aladdin Connect Smart Device Enabled Garage Door Controller by Genie allows you to monitor and control the status of your garage door from your phone! Some thieves can enter your garage by using a coat hanger and threading it through your garage door at the top and pulling the red emergency release cord down. Then, they can open your garage door manually. Thwart their attempts and be alerted of all activity in your garage with the Aladdin Connect.
Open and close your garage door with the press of a button from your phone, anytime and anywhere. Receive alerts when your garage door is opened, and you can also setup rules to close your garage door at certain times. Some Genie garage door openers have integrated Aladdin Connect. For openers that do not have integrated smartphone capabilities, the Aladdin Connect Retro-Fit kit is universal and can be added to most brands of garage door openers manufactured after 1993. Make your garage “smart” with the Aladdin Connect!
2.) Install a Home Security System
According to the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Statistics, homes without a security system are 300% more likely to be burglarized. Only 17% of homes have a security system installed. A study done by UNC Charlotte on the habits and motivation of burglars found that 83% of burglars check to see if there is an alarm, and 60% would decide not to break-in if they saw an alarm was installed. Protect your home and deter thieves by installing a home security system.
Genie’s Aladdin Connect is integrated with many smart home partners, including home security platforms such as Alarm.com. Using the Alarm.com app, you can monitor your garage door, home cameras, smoke alarms, window security sensors, carbon monoxide detectors, and more. Aladdin Connect is also integrated with smart home systems such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home. Learn more here.
3.) Hide Your Garage Door Opener Remote
A common tactic by thieves is to break into your car and steal your garage door opener remote. The thief will locate your address using your car insurance registration, often stored in your glove compartment. Once the thief has your remote and your address, they will have free reign to enter your home. Treat your garage door opener like a house key. You wouldn’t leave your house key in plain sight in an unattended car, so treat your garage remote the same. If you can’t take your garage remote with you, make sure to hide it in your car so it is not visible.
If your remote does get stolen, clear the codes on your garage door opener immediately. For a Genie garage door opener, you will need to press and hold the square “Learn” or “PRGM” button for 6 seconds. The LED light will flash. Hold the up and down arrows for 6 seconds. Your remotes and keypad have now been cleared and will not operate your garage door. Press your remote and ensure that it does not operate your garage door. You will need to reprogram any remotes or keypads you have or purchase a replacement remote or keypad.
If you have a Chamberlain®, Craftsman®, Liftmaster®, Ryobi®, and most other brands of garage door opener you can clear the remotes with one step. You simply press and hold the colored learn button for 6 to 10 seconds. Once you release all remotes are cleared.
4.) Secure Your Garage When on Vacation
Many Genie wall consoles feature a “Vacation Lock” setting which allow you to disengage your remotes while you are away. Slide the button to the locked position and you are good to go. When you return, you can access your garage through a main door or by using an Emergency Release Kit if you have one in installed. Then return the Vacation Lock back to its normal function.
Secure your packages with the BenchSentry secure porch package delivery box. Most burglaries happen during working hours, when homes are empty. Having packages stacked on your doorstep for days are obvious signs that no one is home. With the BenchSentry you can have your packages stored securely. The bench will only open when the tracking code is entered by the delivery driver. Aladdin Connect is also integrated with the BenchSentry, so you can have larger packages delivered to your garage!
5.) Landscaping and Lighting
Adding motion activated lights will help deter potential burglars at night. Also, make sure to keep any hedges or bushes trimmed at a low level as these can be potential hiding spots. Planting small thorny bushes under garage windows can be a deterrent as well.
6.) Secure Windows and Doors
It might sound like common sense, but make sure to lock your doors, even if it is during the day. The most common times for break-ins occur between 10am to 3pm. Lock your doors, even the door that connects your garage to your home. Thieves will usually scope out your property before entering. Hinder their ability to peek into your garage windows by adding blinds or a window film. Window films give the appearance of stained glass and provide privacy while letting light pass through.
Help to prevent a burglary in your home by beginning in your garage. Protect yourself, your family, and your belongings by taking the necessary steps to keep your garage secure.
1 comment
Love this one! Thanks!