I wrote this month's main newsletter topic a little more personally than I normally would, since it happened to a close friend and I think if he was aware of a couple things it might have been prevented.
There are several other people in our club that are also qualified to speak on various aspects relating to this same subject, and obviously there are many many more things that can be done. I just wanted to put the awareness out there and suggest some simple things that most everyone can do on thier own, as well as show first-hand examples. The before and after versions are of one of my old houses. I didn't save any garage interior pictures, but the smaller tip-out windows were covered and cross drilled with removable pins to keep them from moving until the pin was pulled out. The service door to the back was actually completely blocked by a built-in rack attached directly to the studs. I specifically didn't touch on cameras or alarms since there are so many options and they can be both a deterrant as well as an advertisement saying "I have something to protect". By the way, a yippy dog is a great first warning when you're home.
I'm more than willing to discuss other options with anyone
SShink said
Apr 25, 2013
Bryan, it's a good topic for the club to be aware of from a personal and car/parts collector perspective. Thanks for bringing it up.
Unfortunately, it seems like unless we are directly impacted by an event like your friend was, it doesn't seem to stick until it happens to one of us. Good to keep it in mind as we all protect our stuff.
Chris R said
Apr 25, 2013
Good article. I make a conscous effort to keep my garage door closed unless im working in there and its too hot to leave it closed. If im in the yard and have no real need to have it open and can get stuff in and out through the walk in door. It stays closed then too.
John D said
Apr 26, 2013
As a guy who's made his living for 20+ years keeping people on whatever side of the door/fence they're supposed to be on... these are all valid points. It's not paranoia, there is a segment of society that cannot stand someone else to have something nice, or posses something they feel "entitled" to. For a minimal investment in time & materials you can secure your "stuff" from the casual or rookie burglar.
Bryan has touched on most of the primary (and easy to do) items. Here's a couple more: - Older garage door openers. Think about replacing it if it's not one of the more modern "rolling code" models. The old ones with just a rotary selector or "dip" switch code setting system are easy to hack. - External garage door opener key switch. Get rid of it! Too easy to just un-screw/pry out and short the contacts. Replace with a programmable keypad type. (and don't set the code to your address... forward or backward!) - Lighting. Install or replace your exterior lights with motion detection units, and keep the switch ON! The coach lamps on my garage are controlled by a neat motion detector that's "smart". At dusk the lights come on at 50% power for 4 hours. After 4 hours they switch off. If during the 4 hours motion is detected, they ramp up to 100% for 5 mins, then go down. After the 4 hours they just zap up to 100% upon detection.
gearlube said
Apr 26, 2013
I think it is a great subject. I moved here from an area that was not great. I kept my chevelle in a locked garage at a storage facility because of it. When we moved here the first thing I did was put in an alarm system with backups. I also put sensors on my garage doors that I can set at night etc. you just never know....
I wrote this month's main newsletter topic a little more personally than I normally would, since it happened to a close friend and I think if he was aware of a couple things it might have been prevented.
There are several other people in our club that are also qualified to speak on various aspects relating to this same subject, and obviously there are many many more things that can be done. I just wanted to put the awareness out there and suggest some simple things that most everyone can do on thier own, as well as show first-hand examples. The before and after versions are of one of my old houses. I didn't save any garage interior pictures, but the smaller tip-out windows were covered and cross drilled with removable pins to keep them from moving until the pin was pulled out. The service door to the back was actually completely blocked by a built-in rack attached directly to the studs. I specifically didn't touch on cameras or alarms since there are so many options and they can be both a deterrant as well as an advertisement saying "I have something to protect". By the way, a yippy dog is a great first warning when you're home.
I'm more than willing to discuss other options with anyone
Bryan, it's a good topic for the club to be aware of from a personal and car/parts collector perspective. Thanks for bringing it up.
Unfortunately, it seems like unless we are directly impacted by an event like your friend was, it doesn't seem to stick until it happens to one of us. Good to keep it in mind as we all protect our stuff.
Good article. I make a conscous effort to keep my garage door closed unless im working in there and its too hot to leave it closed. If im in the yard and have no real need to have it open and can get stuff in and out through the walk in door. It stays closed then too.
Bryan has touched on most of the primary (and easy to do) items. Here's a couple more:
- Older garage door openers. Think about replacing it if it's not one of the more modern "rolling code" models. The old ones with just a rotary selector or "dip" switch code setting system are easy to hack.
- External garage door opener key switch. Get rid of it! Too easy to just un-screw/pry out and short the contacts. Replace with a programmable keypad type. (and don't set the code to your address... forward or backward!)
- Lighting. Install or replace your exterior lights with motion detection units, and keep the switch ON!
The coach lamps on my garage are controlled by a neat motion detector that's "smart". At dusk the lights come on at 50% power for 4 hours. After 4 hours they switch off. If during the 4 hours motion is detected, they ramp up to 100% for 5 mins, then go down. After the 4 hours they just zap up to 100% upon detection.