Safety First: Preventing Garage Door Break-Ins

Home security is often a top priority for homeowners. Family safety and property protection fall into this category, and homeowners have many options when it comes to improving the security of their property. There are, however, some areas of the home that homeowners may simply overlook as possible security threats. The garage represents one of these areas. Garages pose a unique threat to home security because they are particularly helpful entry points that burglars take advantage of during break-ins. While it may not seem as essential to guard your garage as heavily as, say, the front door and windows, the garage requires some attention to turn it into a vital form of protection from criminals. Learn how to put safety first by preventing garage door break-ins.

The Garage Door

The garage door is, obviously, the most vulnerable point in your garage security setup. While contemporary construction and manufacturing techniques usually replace old-style manual garage doors with automatic garage doors with remote open options, these new choices don’t provide nearly the security that the average homeowner might expect.

Many automatic garage doors can be easily bypassed using a coat hanger or other simple tools to trigger the emergency release lever. Additionally, some older models are susceptible to code grabbing, where a thief uses a device to intercept the signal from the remote control. Furthermore, many homeowners neglect to change the default access codes, leaving their garage doors vulnerable to unauthorized access.

Remote Threat

While garage door opener technology has come a long way since its original design, your coding may not keep your home as secure as you might think. Garage door openers were initially designed with coding that basically had the same code for every single unit sold. This one-stop coding became unsafe, and manufacturers upgraded systems so that savvy homeowners could update their codes manually. Unfortunately, few homeowners take advantage of this option. Modern garage door openers feature codes that randomly regenerate every few weeks or so, which minimizes the opportunity for interception. Back in the day, it was possible for thieves to drive down neighborhood streets clicking a remote opener until a preprogrammed code matched up and a door opened. Thankfully, that threat is much lower today, thanks to random code generators.

Consider Your Code

However, the possibility of your code being intercepted increases with the age of your opener, so it’s a good idea to check yours out to see if it is up to standards. Additionally, keeping your remote in your vehicle increases the likelihood of a remote breach, so consider purchasing a keychain remote and using it rather than a visor clip remote. Changing this one small detail could be a large enough hurdle to deter a potential break-in.

Safety Release

Automatic garage door openers contain a safety release feature that allows homeowners to override the electronic opener in the event of a power failure or similar event. Unfortunately, the release is accessible from the outside thanks to a bent coat hanger and some clever maneuvering.

Tripping It

Crooks can manipulate a coat hanger through the weather stripping at the top of your garage door and to the point of access for the release mechanism. The mechanism is fairly sensitive and easily tripped with a hook fashioned onto the end of the coat hanger. Once the burglar trips the mechanism, manually opening the garage door is a breeze.

Get Protection

To protect from a tripped release, purchase or fashion a small cover to go over the release spot and deter outside interference. If you plan to be away from home for a period of time, you can use a zip tie to keep the release portion connected to the main shaft and make tripping the release impossible. You absolutely do not want to use the zip tie if anyone stays in the home, as this method could cause a dangerous situation in the event of an emergency. That’s because a zip tie might make releasing the garage door opener impossible.

Lock it Up

However you look at it, the best way to protect your garage is to equip your garage door(s) with strong, modern locks that keep burglars out and your home secure. Deadbolt locks and roller door locks are good options that installers put inside your garage door for locking up when you’re at home. 

Garage Door Locks

There are several types of garage door locks available on the market, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

Deadbolt Lock: One common type of garage door lock is the deadbolt lock. These locks offer a high level of security by making it difficult for intruders to gain entry through the door's opening mechanism. However, they can be challenging to install and may require the assistance of a professional.

Roller Door Locks: These locks consist of a bar that slides across the garage door's opening, preventing it from opening. They are easy to install and can be used in conjunction with other types of locks to provide added security. However, they can be difficult to operate and can be prone to jamming.

General Precautions

General safety precautions, too, are important to remember when securing your garage. Keep your main doors that lead into and out of the garage locked at all times, especially if your garage is not connected to the central part of your home. This is because you may not hear movement until it’s too late to take action against burglars.

If your garage-to-home door doesn’t have a deadbolt, you should definitely consider installing one to improve your home safety and provide peace of mind. Additionally, consider installing new locks on all of your doors if the locks are old, outdated or difficult to operate. Keeping your family safe is about more than keeping the bad guys out, but also about making sure that your home security measures don’t interfere with day-to-day living.

Motion Sensor Lighting

In addition to securing the doors, consider installing motion-sensor lighting around your garage to deter potential intruders. These lights can illuminate the area when movement is detected, making it harder for someone to approach unnoticed. Furthermore, investing in a security camera system can provide an extra layer of protection, allowing you to monitor your garage and surrounding areas remotely. By integrating these additional security measures, you can enhance the overall safety of your home and provide peace of mind for you and your family.

Secure Your Home Today!

For comprehensive protection, consider the Sevan Systems for your garage security needs. With advanced technology and user-friendly design, it ensures peace of mind without compromising convenience. Don’t wait for an incident to occur—upgrade your home’s security today with Sevan Systema and safeguard your family and belongings effectively.

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