While it may be the last thing you want to consider, planning for a burglary is the best way to protect you and your home against one. Most times, a burglar will enter your home through the front door. However, if the front door is inaccessible, they may try other ways, such as the garage door. Knowing how to secure a garage door will ward against thieves and give you extra peace of mind.
How Can I Improve the Security of My Garage Door?
It only takes a few minutes for determined thieves to break into your home. You have even more reasons to take safety measures if you have an attached garage. Here’s our expert advice for securing your garage door.
1. Look at Your Home Like a Burglar
The first step in stopping a burglar is to pretend you are one. Take a few minutes to walk around your garage and ask yourself how you would try breaking in. This exercise can help you quickly identify and prioritize vulnerable areas.
2. Keep Your Garage Doors Locked
If you manually open and close your garage doors, you likely already know the importance of keeping them locked. One option is to upgrade to an automatic opener, which makes it harder for thieves to get past. Or, if that’s not an option, you can clamp a padlock on one of the door tracks to ensure they stay closed. It is also wise to get into the habit of keeping your exterior service and interior garage access doors locked.
3. Zip-Tie the Emergency Release
All automatic garage door openers have an emergency release lever with a bright red cord that enables you to open or close them during a power outage. This feature is handy for homeowners and burglars alike — anyone can push in on the garage door, create enough of a gap to reach the cord with a wire hook, then pull it to open the door.
One of the least expensive tips for securing your garage door is to zip-tie the cord. You’ll keep your belongings safe from burglars while offering easy access to the release in an emergency.
4. Don’t Leave Your Garage Doors Open for Long Periods
An open garage door is very noticeable, even if you aren’t planning a robbery. Instead of inviting anyone to enter your garage or home, keep your garage door closed whenever possible. Do not take anything for granted, regardless of whether you are home, working outside or live in a safe neighborhood. Some newer garage door opener models make this easy by allowing you to check the garage door’s status at a glance, or you can purchase a stand-alone door monitor.
5. Upgrade Your Outdated Door Opener
While automatic garage door openers can keep your garage safer, this safety goes out the window if your opener is older. Burglars are getting smarter, and they may have a scanner that tells them your access code. Or, a neighbor may have the same access code as you and can accidentally open your garage doors with their remote. Newer garage door models use technology that creates a new code each time you use the remote for a safer opener option.
6. Cover Your Garage Windows
While windows let in natural light and fresh air, they offer numerous ways for thieves to peek inside your garage. As the burglar looks into your windows, they may look for items to steal or check to see if anyone is home before they start their break-in.
You have several options for keeping your windows safer. The first is covering the windows with blinds or curtains. Another idea is to apply a translucent film or choose a frosted glass design to let sunlight in without allowing others to look in.
7. Install Brighter Exterior Lighting
Poor exterior lighting may make your home more attractive to a potential burglar. By ensuring all entry points are well-lit, you may cause a would-be criminal to think twice before trying to enter your home. Place lights at least 10 to 12 feet above the ground so a burglar can’t deactivate them.
8. Check the Condition of Your Garage Doors
Older garage doors that have warped or do not provide a tight seal are a liability for your home’s security, as any gaps make it much easier for a burglar to break in. If you notice your overhead doors look run-down, replace them with a newer, more secure model.
9. Don’t Leave Valuables in Your Garage
If you use your garage as your catch-all storage space, be careful not to store high-value belongings in your garage or vehicle. Even if you keep your doors locked, having an expensive item in sight may tempt a burglar and put your security measures to an unwanted test.
10. Don’t Leave Your Remote Opener in Your Car
Most homeowners leave their remote openers in the glove compartment or attached to their car’s visor. These locations may be convenient, but remember, any thief who snatches it can quickly access your garage and home.
11. Lock up Tools
If your garage doubles as your workspace, you may have a lot of tools and other supplies around the space. Instead of leaving your tools out where a thief can easily see them, lock them up after each use. Putting them away can also help keep them in top condition longer.
12. Be Vigilant
Being vigilant involves staying alert for suspicious activity around your neighborhood. Team up with your neighbors to keep an eye out. Offer to park in their driveway to look like someone is always home and pick up their newspapers or mail while they’re out of town.
Let Quality Door Company Keep Your Garage Door Safe
Whether you want to install a new door, opener or entry door for your garage, Quality Door Company offers a wide selection of secure options that enhance any home. We are a proud Clopay® Master Authorized Dealer®, and many of our garage door options have high safety ratings for your peace of mind. Explore our wide selection of secure garage doors to start enjoying a safer home today!
