Improve Garage Door Security in Burlington
In most homes, when it comes to security, garage doors are the forgotten relative. When people install security systems for their homes, they often overlook garage door security. Similarly, when they ensure their home’s windows and doors are locked, they usually forget to secure the garage door.
This is a security mistake. Garage doors present a real target for thieves. They can enter a home within seconds through the garage door and are then protected from sight once inside the garage.
In 2019, there were an estimated 1,117,696 burglaries (that’s one nearly every 30 seconds!), with the garage door being one of the top four methods of entry. Our locksmiths at Action Lock & Key recommend the following garage door security tips to prevent your Burlington, home from being one of these targets.
- Do not leave your garage door opener in your car.
- Reinforce both your garage service door and the door from the garage to the house.
- Cover your garage windows.
- Secure the garage door’s emergency release.
- Close your garage door.
- Lock the door with a padlock when you’re out of town.
- Install motion detector lights.
- Install an alarm.
Garage Door Security Tips: An In-Depth Look
Do not leave your garage door opener in your car.
In fact, exchange that bulky box for a sleek key-fob version. Leaving the clicker in your car is an open invitation for a burglar to break into your car and utilize the opener to easily gain entry to your garage. If you refuse to give up your little box, then lock it inside your glove compartment or, better yet, take it inside with you each time.
Reinforce both your garage door and the door from the garage to the house.
These can be a point of weakness. Ensure both doors are made of solid wood or reinforced steel, have sturdy hinges, and are as secure as your front door. Deadbolts are a must. Additionally, many people consider installing an interior door lock reinforcer for their exterior doors as well to prevent the door from being kicked in.
Cover your garage windows.
Giving burglars a clear view of what you have stored there, as well as how they can get in, is never a good idea. Invest in some curtains, blinds, shades, or frosted film to cover the glass.
Secure the garage door’s emergency release.
All automatic garage doors are required by law to have a safety release mechanism that’s controlled by a grab handle. If the garage door malfunctions or someone is trapped underneath it, this release can be pulled, allowing the door to be moved manually.
Burglars have discovered that with a mere coat hanger, they can reach between the garage door and its top seal and grab the release. This six-second process allows them free access to your garage without breaking a sweat.
By securing this safety release with a zip tie, you’ve thwarted any possible burglary attempts using this method, without completely disabling the release. A firm tug from inside the garage will snap the zip tie, allowing the door to be opened manually as designed. Check out the online videos to view how to install a zip tie.
Close your garage door.
As simple as this sounds, many folks simply forget to close the garage door. Obviously, this is a no-brainer for a burglar. These folks have done all the hard work for any intended burglar. If this behavior is a habit of yours, an easy fix is to install a timer. You can program the timer for the amount of time of your choosing, and it’ll close the door for you after it’s been open for the specified amount of time. No more forgetting.
Lock the door with a padlock when you’re out of town.
If you go out of town for any amount of time, it’s a good garage door security practice to actually padlock the inside of your garage door while you’re gone. This preventive measure preempts any burglar from getting in through the garage door, no matter how hard he or she tries.
Install motion detector lights.
Outdoor motion detector lights are one of the top items that all law enforcement professionals cite as a burglar deterrent. Installing them so they shine on all doors, including the garage door, goes a long way in deterring intended burglars. They’d rather work in the dark than in a spotlight where they can easily be seen.
Install an audible alarm.
Even if you already have an alarm system for the rest of your home, installing one exclusively on your garage door is a sound practice. This can alert you if anyone attempts to open your door. A step further is installing cameras, which many folks do to give them peace of mind.
Learn More About Home and Garage Door Security
Don’t leave your garage door out of the plans when protecting your Burlington, home. It’s an easy entry for many burglars. By following the above tips, you’ll force any would-be burglars to look for an easy mark somewhere else. Call Action Lock & Key at 781-229-9992 or request service online to speak with one of our professional locksmiths about how we can help you secure your garage door today.