How Secure is a Garage Door? 3 Security Tips

If you are a homeowner and you have a garage attached to your structure you may have wondered, “How Secure is A Garage Door?” Can someone get into the home through your garage? Will someone try? The garage is usually located in a spot away from bedrooms, making it an easy access point for someone who does want to try break in. Read on to learn how you can secure your garage, helping to minimize the potential for theft as a result.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”  — Benjamin Franklin

Garage Security Basics

One way to help make it harder for a break-in to occur via your garage door area is to keep automatic door openers out of the access of potential thieves. Many people have their garage door openers installed above the visor in their vehicle, so they can simply press a button and get into the garage. What if you decide to park your vehicle outdoors though? What if someone decides to snatch that remote from your vehicle when it is in a parking lot? Your home is at risk. Instead of taking the chance, don’t keep your remote in your vehicle at all. Place it in your purse, briefcase, or at least a locked glove-box when you are not using it. Bring it into the home or office after you park your vehicle as well.

Use A Few Deterrents

If a burglar thinks someone is at home, they will be less likely to try to break in as there is a greater risk of being caught. Timed lights in your home that turn on even when you are not home can be a deterrent. Motion activated lighting around the garage can be a useful deterrent during night time hours. Make sure to trim bushes and trees near to the garage so there is no readily available hiding spot for thieves to use.

Best Motion Activated Cameras

Use Tools To Keep The Door Shut

There are a few items you can use to help secure a garage door. These will slow down a thief as they will not be able to get into the garage easily. Try using a zip tie on the emergency release latch. A thief can use a coat hanger to release the emergency handle. But, when a zip tie is in place, the door cannot be opened from outside. You also have the option of removing the emergency latch. If you do this, and an emergency does occur, it will take you longer to get out of the garage if your opener fails. Another tool to consider is a frame reinforcement jamb. This is installed inside the garage near a regular door. A burglar will have a much harder time breaking through the door with this in place.

Maintenance and Upkeep for Garage Door Security

It is important to keep up with maintenance and repairs to any area that could provide entry to a burglar. Check door locks to ensure they work properly. Consider swapping out locks, knobs, and latches if necessary. Consider a smart lock to increase security and convenience. Metal or solid wooden doors fare better than other materials when it comes to garage door security. If your garage door is less than ideal, contact a contractor to price and upgrade. If your garage door has windows, it is best to frost the panes or use tint to make it harder for people to see inside. In addition:

• Check for frame issues and make repairs as needed
• Make sure any side door entryways have up-to-date locking mechanisms
• Install ample illumination sources around entryways to the home
• Consider investing in an alarm system for optimal protection

Invest In An Alarm System

If you’re still asking, “How secure is a garage door?” consider this: one of the best ways to protect your property is with the installation of an alarm system. These can protect your entire house, including your garage. An alarm system will ensure that your home will remain safe from break-ins, fires, carbon-monoxide incidents, and other disasters.

If you are considering having an alarm system installed in your home, contact Protect America to find out about the many options we have available. Take a look at our website to get a sense of our company and our commitment to providing premier services at an affordable cost. Be sure to check out our offer for a free quote and discover how affordable it can be to protect your home.

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