Your garage houses your expensive tools, your outdoor recreational equipment and a host of other items. It probably also has a door leading into your home. For that reason, you need to keep your garage secure. Here are five tips to help you boost your garage security:

1. Install security doors or grilles

If you don't want anyone to be able to get into your garage, replace your existing garage doors with security doors. You can replace your roll-up door with a locking security door, or you can add a secure roll-down grate in front of your existing door.

Do not forget the regular door as well – if you have a door leading from the garage to the outside, make sure it is not a hollow core door, as those flimsy doors can be easily broken through. Instead, replace it with a heavy steel security door with a deadbolt and a sturdy frame.

2. Schedule repairs for broken garage doors

If you don't have the time, money or interest in replacing your existing garage door with a security door, you can take other steps to secure your doors. Namely, you need to repair your doors. According to authorities in the state of Victoria, car thefts are up by nearly 20 percent over previous years, and many of these thieves are breaking in through broken or poorly secured garage doors. Once inside the garage, the thieves break car windows to steal stereos and other items out of cars.

In other cases, thieves use the door between the home and the garage to gain access to the home. Once in, they find the keys and steal the car. In some areas, 1 out of every 30 homeowners is being affected by this type of crime.

3. Invest in garage door security apps and devices

Whether you replace your existing garage door with a security door or not, you should invest in a security app or device. You can buy devices that ensure your garage door is closed. If you or one of your kids accidentally leaves the garage door open, the system automatically shuts it after a set period of time. That ensures everyone driving by doesn't get a tempting look at your stuff.

You can also get apps that allow you to close, lock or set the alarm on your garage remotely. As long as you have an internet or 4G connection, you can use an app on your smartphone to control your garage door.

4. Do not leave your garage door opener visible in your car

Garage door security does not stop when you leave your home. If you have your garage door opener with you, you need to continue your vigilance. Do not leave your garage door opener visible in your car.

If a thief sees your opener, they simply need to break open the car, grab the opener and take your address from your car registration. Then, the thief has everything they need to find your house and enter it. Luckily, you can thwart this common scheme by popping your garage door opener into your pocket or bag when you are out and about.

5. Remember to address the windows

Do not spend time and money securing your garage just to forget about the windows. Depending on the risk in your area, you could install security glass or bars on your windows. Alternatively, you could extend your security system to the garage so that it detects if anyone breaks the glass on a garage window.

If you have old windows that slide up, use a dowel in the window frame to make opening the window impossible.

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