2023-12-20 6 min read Mike Johnson
Your garage door is one of the largest entry points to your home, and unfortunately, it's often overlooked when it comes to security. According to the FBI, burglars frequently target garages as an entry point. Here's how to fortify your garage door security.
Older garage door openers use fixed codes that can be easily captured and reproduced by thieves using code grabbers. Modern openers use rolling code technology, which generates a new code each time the door is operated, making code theft virtually impossible.
Most garage doors have an emergency release that allows you to open the door manually during power outages. Unfortunately, this feature can be exploited. Thieves use a coat hanger to reach through the top of the door and pull the release. Install a shield or zip-tie the release to prevent unauthorized access.
Burglars prefer to work in the dark. Installing bright motion-sensor lights above your garage door and around the perimeter of your garage deters criminal activity. LED floodlights are energy-efficient and provide excellent illumination.
If your car is broken into, thieves will have easy access to your garage.and possibly your registration with your home address. Consider using a keychain remote instead, or upgrade to a smart opener you can control from your phone.
Wooden doors can be kicked in relatively easily. Consider upgrading to a steel door or adding a horizontal security bar across the inside of the door. If you have windows in your garage door, use frosted or tinted glass so thieves can't see what's inside.
Even if someone gains access to your garage, a locked and reinforced door between the garage and your home provides a second line of defense. Use a solid core door with a deadbolt lock.
Smart garage door openers and monitoring systems send alerts to your phone whenever the garage door opens or closes. Some systems include cameras so you can see exactly who is accessing your garage.
This seems obvious, but many break-ins occur simply because the garage door was left open. Get in the habit of always closing the garage door immediately, and consider installing an auto-close feature that closes the door after a set period.
At Garage Door Pacifica, we can assess your current garage door security and recommend upgrades to protect your home and family. Contact us for a free security consultation.