When intruders are staking out a target, they will often use the garage door to enter the premises. These doors are a common weak point when looking at security in a whole-home approach and an easy target for thieves. That is why it is vital to secure garage doors, so intruders can’t get in!
Here are a few tips:
- Never leave the garage door remote in your vehicle – if a thief breaks into your car and steals the remote, they have found a way to get inside your home.
- Invest in a keychain remote opener – Stop using that remote you clip to your visor and get a keychain remote opener that you can leave on your keys.
- Keep the garage door locked at all times. It is best to put a deadbolt on the door between your house and garage. Even if it is a slight inconvenience to use a key each time, it ensures your home is safe from intruders.
- Make sure the door from your garage into your house is as secure as your front door – Ensure you have a strong, sturdy door made out of solid-core wood or reinforced steel and install an anti-kick device.
- It is advisable to install a wide-angle peephole in the door between the house and garage. If you hear a weird noise you can immediately see what is going on without opening the door.
- Frost or cover your garage windows – Don’t do thieves any favors by enabling them to see when your vehicle is gone, a better idea would be to replace the door with one that lacks windows.
- When you are out of town on vacation or business, padlock the throw latch on your garage door. 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 lock it.
- Never leave the garage door open – it is surprising how many people make this mistake. Even if you live in a safe neighborhood, an open door is a beacon to potential thieves and burglars.
- Don’t neglect maintenance on the mechanical parts of your roll-up garage door and keep an eye out for corrosion. Don’t forget the door from your garage to your house; check the frame, locks, hinges and any replaceable items.
Even if these measures sound a tad tedious and time-consuming, they can prevent break-ins, so please take them seriously.