Helpful Tips to Prevent Car Theft and Garage Break-Ins

You’ve secured your home with a comprehensive alarm system and professional monitoring. You’ve equipped doors and windows with motion sensors. But what measures have you taken to protect yourself from car theft and reinforce your garage door security?

Actual motor vehicle theft has steadily decreased over the decades, but an open garage with power tools or a wallet haphazardly left on the seat of your car present crimes of opportunity. Catalytic converter theft is on the rise most recently, owing to the precious metals contained within.

Fortunately, it’s easy to mitigate these vulnerabilities with easy-to-implement garage and car theft prevention techniques. Here are a few of our best tips, along with some products that can enhance the safety of your garage, car, and belongings.

Lock it up

Your first line of defense against garage and car thefts is locking all doors and checking them each time you exit your garage or lock up your home for the night. Does the back door lock on your car sometimes stick? Make sure you’ve manually locked it. Does your garage side door only have a key lock? Install a deadbolt to prevent anyone from kicking it in and accessing your garage.

Add watchful protection

Both indoor and outdoor security cameras give you an extra set of “eyes” to easily scan for any unwanted visitors to your garage or your driveway. Angle your outdoor cameras to get a broad view of your driveway and your garage door, if possible. Inside your garage, install the indoor cameras to monitor any doors or windows.

Protect your car from theft: Keep things out of sight

A pedestrian walking your neighborhood can easily spot that new pressure washer, lawn mower, or table saw housed in your garage. Ensure the door remains closed as much as possible to deter any temptation from passersby.

Wondering how to protect your car from theft? Whether you park on the street, in a driveway, or in your garage, make sure you leave nothing of value in your car. A handful of loose change in your cup holder or a smartphone charger on the seat may not seem like a big deal to you, but it can signify to a thief that the car includes other valuable, higher-dollar items, making a smash-and-grab more likely.

Prevent garage door break-ins: Install sensors

Investing in a garage door tilt sensor will alert you to anyone trying to gain entry through the garage. This wireless device monitors any lifting or tilting of hatch and roll-up doors. For an extra layer of security, mount motion sensors inside your garage area to monitor the space should someone gain access.

Watch where you park

A locked garage is the safest place for your car, but that’s not always an option. If you regularly park in a carport, driveway, parking lot, or public garage, try to find a well-lit area. Keep bushes and landscaping trimmed around your garage so any entry points — doors and windows — can be seen from the road and won’t provide cover to any would-be thieves looking to steal your car’s catalytic converter or break into your garage.

Illuminate your space

Motion-activated lighting can greatly enhance nighttime safety of your vehicles and garage. Not only does the motion sensor technology save you energy by only switching on when triggered, but these lights will quickly alert you to anyone on your property. Any illumination, however, whether floodlights, porch lights, or landscaping lights can help deter garage door break-ins and car thefts.

Consider an anti-theft device

Just how valuable is your car’s catalytic converter? This component contains high-dollar precious metals like platinum, rhodium, and palladium, and theft is relatively quick and easy. Hybrid cars, SUVs, and trucks are all attractive catalytic converter theft targets, both owing to the metals used as well as the easy access. While a new catalytic converter will run you several thousand dollars, an anti-theft device installed on your catalytic converter bolts to the car and costs about $150 to $200. Thankfully, the steps above can help you protect your car from catalytic converter theft and potential car break ins.

Want to protect your garage, car and home? Contact Brinks Home™ to get started with smart home security measures to keep an eye on your car and garage door.

Allison Clark is a senior writer for Brinks Home. She enjoys educating others on the benefits of smart home security and using technology to simplify everyday life