Securing Your Garage Doors against Theft Home Improvement Home Security by Michael Brewer - March 12, 2015November 18, 2015 Securing Your Garage Doors against Theft According to the FBI, a burglary happens in the US once every 15.4 seconds. And insufficient security is the most basic reason behind the high rate of burglaries and break-ins. Open or unlocked garage doors, in particular, are a vulnerable and often overlooked opening that thieves often take advantage of. The good news is that in most cases, problems like burglaries are easily preventable. Image – http://www.bigstockphoto.com/ Below are basic tips to help you secure your garage doors against theft: Tip #1: Lock your garage doors. The 2012 FBI Crime Report says that most burglaries happen between 6 AM and 6 PM, while most people are at work. But did you know that inaccessibility is often an effective enough deterrent against crime? Simply locking your garage doors every time you go out will be enough to make prospective robbers think twice. If you’re the forgetful sort, you can also consider installing programmable timers to automate the process. Image – http://www.bigstockphoto.com/ Tip #2: Check that the door from your home to your garage locks regularly. Exterior doors with compromised locks are practically an open invitation to thieves. Make sure the door to your garage door locks, sleeves, and strike plates are in good shape and can still offer heavy-duty protection. If your garage has a separate service door, it’s also a good idea to reinforce its doorjamb and hinges and install a deadbolt in case robbers resort to good old brute force. Image – http://www.bigstockphoto.com/ Tip #3: Do not lose your remote or leave it in your car. Garage door openers now come in handy keychain-friendly sizes, making it easier for you to carry it with you whenever you leave your car. But if you’re worried about losing your remote, you can also set up a keyless entry system. The best ones use rolling-code technology to up the security and make sure no burglar will be able to decipher your code. Tip #4: Install motion detector lights. You can either install a standalone motion detector that can be connected to your existing lights or go go big and install fluorescent lights with built-in motion sensors. Would-be burglars will be less likely to try and break in if the garage they thought was unoccupied suddenly lights up. Motion detector lights can be purchased for as low as $20, which is a very small price to pay for extra security. Tip #5: Invest in a good alarm and home security system. Many alarm systems can be configured to receive signals from garage door sensors. Every time the sensor is triggered, the system will receive the signal and sound accordingly. Higher-end security systems also feature built-in security functions for garage doors so that you won’t ever have to worry about leaving it open or unlocked. For instance, they can close the doors automatically if you accidentally left them open for a couple of minutes or even allow remote monitoring so you can periodically check what’s happening at home. Image – http://www.bigstockphoto.com/ A Caveat While it’s important to secure your garage doors against theft, it is worth noting that they are only one entry point into your home. In fact, most burglaries in the US still occur through the front door, which is why it’s still smart to take a comprehensive approach to home security. Stay safe, everybody! Author Bio Michael Brewer, a consultant for Automatic Garage Door Company, is passionate about making life simpler for home and business owners through smart garage door solutions. On his off days, he enjoys playing ball with his two young sons and running with the family dog.