Smart Garages: Protecting Your Home and Car

Think about all of the money you store in your garage. No, we’re not talking about cash—we’re talking stuff. Your cars, your collection of tools, the kids' bikes. Your snowblower, the lawnmower, and all your sports equipment.

Can you guess the collective monetary value of your garage storage? With just one vehicle, most of us keep thousands of dollars worth of possessions in our garage.

Now think about the effort you’ve made in protecting your garage from theft.

The truth is that most people haven't thought much about protecting their garage. So if you fall into this category, don't be discouraged. Now's a great time to take a more proactive approach to garage security—and here's why it matters.

The importance of securing your garage

Protecting your garage is just as important as protecting your home.

Why? In most cases, the garage is attached to the main structure of the house with nothing but a door between the two. It is an additional gateway to your home.

And while you may keep your front and back doors locked, do you always lock the door between your garage and your home?

When we look at the methodical planning behind the common burglary, it's easy to see the garage fits the perpetrator’s criteria perfectly. It’s full of valuable items, the security is lax or easy to bypass, and there are two to three points of entry (garage door, side door, and window).

What’s more, the door to your garage may not be as well-lit or as highly visible as the front door to your house. This point of entry is also further from the people inside the home who might wake at the sound of a break-in.

So, when you think about it, the common garage serves as an ideal point of entry for a criminal looking for a clean and easy steal with a low risk for being caught. Knowing this, it's a good idea to place a greater emphasis on protecting your garage.

How to protect your garage

There are many ways you can burglar-proof your garage, but the best defense is reliable, intuitive smart home security. What does that entail?

A smart garage door controller is a major upgrade from the traditional garage door that you’re used to.

Here are a few examples of how you can benefit from smart garage control and enhance your security.

Running late to work and forgot to close your garage door? Don't sweat it. Your system will notify you on your smartphone and you can close the garage door via the Vivint app.

Is your mailman delivering an expensive package that you want to keep safe? Remotely open your garage door for him so he can place it inside and close it up right after he leaves.

Maybe your friend wants to borrow a bike, but you're out of town. From the beach or the mountains, you can let them in from anywhere and then lock everything up once they're gone.

How to protect your car

In an ideal world, you wouldn’t have to worry about protecting your garage or your vehicles. But according to a study published by the Insurance Information Institute, more than 770,000 vehicles were stolen in 2017. That translates into more than 2,000 car thefts every day.

And auto theft isn’t the only concern regarding the security of your vehicle. Practiced thieves can break into a car and steal the valuables inside in less than a few minutes time. You might be thinking, I don’t keep valuables in my car, but you probably do.

Thieves have been known to steal GPS devices, a high-end sound system or radio deck, third row seats—even your catalytic converter.

Whether you keep your vehicles tucked away inside a garage, or you park along the curb in front of your house, now is a good time to equip your vehicle with some additional security.

Vivint Car Guard provides you with the complete coverage you need to prevent someone from breaking into your vehicle. As an app-based vehicle protection service, you'll have access to vehicle location tracking, tamper alerts, and car diagnostics. This way, you have the power to monitor the status of your vehicle no matter where you are.

With powerful sensors, Car Guard will warn you if your vehicle is being tampered with so you can act quickly. It also comes with location tracking, so you know where your car is at all times—an invaluable feature in the event of auto theft.

The best part? Car Guard seamlessly integrates with other Vivint security devices, protecting your home, family, and car.

Here’s an example of how an attempted car theft could unfold:

It’s late. You’re asleep. There’s a shadow wandering around your car in the driveway. It’s a thief. The second he starts tampering with the door of your car, a notification appears on your smartphone, you sound your outdoor camera's alarm and flash the lights to scare the intruder away, and your cameras record everything so you have a complete record that you can share with the authorities.

Disaster averted, thanks to your Vivint system.

Next level security for your garage and home

A smart garage controller gives you the power to secure the largest point of entry, the garage door, but what about the outside door and window to your garage? Protect your garage, your home, and everything inside with these security devices:

Burglary detection sensors

First off, protect your garage and your home with sensitive sensors for your windows and doors. Then, top it all off with glass break detection to warn you of a forced entry.

With these smart home security sensors, you’ll receive an immediate alert to your smartphone if the sensors detect unauthorized activity. And if necessary, our 24/7 professional monitoring team will dispatch the authorities to assess the situation.

Indoor security cameras

In the event of a burglary, crystal-clear video surveillance can make all the difference in the outcome. If your garage contains vehicles, professional-grade equipment, or toys like ATVs or snowmobiles, then you may want to consider installing a Vivint Indoor Camera.

The footage from this indoor camera will serve you well in the event of a break-in.

The best part? Protecting your garage with smart home security is simple and painless. And once it’s installed, you'll have peace of mind knowing your possessions are secured.

Outdoor security

Protect your home's perimeter and ward off crime with a professional home security system. We recommend the powerful combination of outdoor security cameras, motion sensors, and smart lighting.

Your smart home security system will notify you if someone even approaches your garage. And with Vivint’s professional monitoring service standing by 24/7, you can rest easy knowing the authorities will be notified even if you’re not home.

Protect your home and your garage with Vivint

Protect your home, your garage, and your vehicles against theft with a Vivint security system. We'll help you assemble the ideal security package to protect what matters most to you.

For a free quote on a customized system, call one of our Smart Home Pros today at 844.481.8630.