Garage doors are incredibly convenient, but they can also be a weak point and an easy target for thieves if not properly secured. After all, the last thing any homeowner wants is a burglar using a garage door to gain access to a house.
But what are the best garage door security measures? Here are the 6 most important things you can do to secure your garage.
1. Hide your opener or invest in a keychain remote opener
Always keep your garage door opener out of sight. Thieves often break into cars to get garage door remote controls. They can snag a remote control and take one look at an insurance slip sitting in the glove box to find out exactly where you live. When you’re parked at work or at the grocery store, always keep your garage door hidden or better yet, invest in a keychain remote opener that way your remote control will always be with you.
2. Keep it closed and locked
Always keep your garage door closed and locked. Garage doors that are left open make it easy for anybody to steal your things or gain access to your home. Wi-Fi-enabled garage door openers make it possible to check whether your door is open from anywhere. If your garage is directly connected to your home, put a deadbolt on the door that gives you access to your house. The inconvenience of having to use a key each time you want to enter your home does not outweigh the benefits of added security. Also, make sure the door from your garage into your home is as secure as your front door. Ensure you have a strong, sturdy door made out of solid-core wood or reinforced steel and consider installing an anti-kick device.
3. Switch your code every six months
Keep your garage door codes secure by changing them up on a regular basis. Add a calendar reminder to switch your code every six months.
4. Inspect your garage door
Closely inspect your garage door especially during transitions from season to season. Check for cracked windows and gaps in the weather-stripping. Don’t neglect maintenance on the mechanical parts of your roll-up garage door and keep an eye out for corrosion. Thieves might target these small vulnerabilities to break into your home through the garage.
5. Install a side lock
Install a manual lock on your garage door for when you’re out of town. This type of lock cannot be unlocked with a remote and requires you to manually unlock. If you don’t have a manual lock on your garage door, you can use a c-clamp tightened down on each side of the door track to effectively lock down the door. It’s similar to those small window track locks.
6. Add lighting
Install motion-activated flood lights just above your garage door. If a thief is planning to gain access to your home through the garage door, these motion-activated lights can help deter unwarranted entry.
7. Frost or cover your garage windows
Don’t do thieves any favors by enabling them to see when your vehicle is gone. Replace the door with one that lacks windows. A good budget-friendly option to this is to simply frost your garage windows or to cover them up.
If you would like a pro to test your system for vulnerabilities, give us a call. At Pro-Western Overhead Doors we provide a range of garage door products and services for home and business owners in Fort Saskatchewan, and the surrounding communities such as Josephburg, Scotford, Bruderheim, Lamont, Gibbons, Bon Accord, Lamoureux and many more. Contact us today to learn more about how we can improve your garage door system.
Comments