Home / Garage Safety Tips

Posted in: Graymoor-Devondale
To all Neighborhood Watch Members,

Below you will find an e-mail that was sent from an 8th Division Neighborhood Watch Member. Note the method which was used to gain access to the home. I have also included some tips on garage and home security.

The Brownsboro Glen subdivision had multiple break-ins late Sunday/early Monday. Apparently the thieves used garage door openers from cars parked in driveways or on the street to access the homes. Neither the homeowners association nor our blockwatch was notified of this situation. We found out on Tuesday only because an affected resident contacted us, at which time we sent out a group mail to all residents notifying them of the situation.

Two residents did find garage door openers that had been thrown into their bushes. We located the owner for one, but the other has not been identified. Were there other subdivisions in this area hit the same night? While we cannot undo the situation, we may be able to afford another neighbor some peace of mind that their opener is still not floating around or in the hands of the thieves. We would be happy to try to match owner to opener.

Sandra Kunzler
Brownsboro Glen Board President
email: Board@brownsboroglen.com


GARAGE HOME SECURITY TIPS

If the garage is attached, does the overhead door have an outside keyway? The most secure garage lock is one which is applied inside and has no outside keyway.

Garage door openers are vulnerable to manipulation with electronic devices; if the overhead door is opener-equipped, is it a current technology system with multi-channel (owner-selectable) coding? Can it conveniently be turned off for vacations? If not it can always be unplugged. If it is an existing system, make certain the previous owner has not installed an outside button for convenience; if there is one, disconnect it.

If there is a side door to the garage, is it a solid-core wood or metal door? Is it equipped with a deadbolt lock with an inside keyway (to prevent operation from the outside)?

If you are building a home, consider putting in a garage side door without windows, and use better illumination. Garage side doors are often outside the fence line, and anyone can look into the garage and know there is no one home if there is no vehicle inside.

Is the door between the garage and the house a solid-core wood or metal door? Deadbolt? Open inward (or have pinned or non-removable pin hinges)? If the attic access is in the garage, is it equipped with a lock?





By Metro Police - 8th Division
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