September 4, 2015

Garage Doors are a Burglar’s Favourite Entry Point. How Do You Fix This?

Burglar favourite entry point

While a garage door offers an easy entry point to burglars, there are several measures you can implement to protect your home. Here are some of the crucial steps that can help deter a burglar from entering your home through the garage door:

Downsize Your Remote

Many car owners clip their garage door remotes to the visor in the car, simply because they are using a big remote that can’t easily be carried around. Burglars often take advantage of this fact.

To avoid leaving your remote in an easy reach of a garage door burglar, consider replacing it with a smaller, keychain version that can be purchased at your garage door dealer. Just make sure that the new remote matches the make and model of your garage door opener.

Timely Replacement of a Lost Remote

If you lose your remote, chances are that it will end up in the wrong hands. Reset the code, disable the remote and install a replacement as soon as possible.

Motion Detectors

Light fixtures with built‑in motion detectors can provide enhanced security to your garage as well as your home, as burglars generally shy away from bright light. You can also find a standalone motion detector and connect it to existing lights.

However, take care not to use fluorescent bulbs in your light fixtures, particularly if you live in a cold climate; fluorescent bulbs take longer to light up during winter and can provide potential intruders with extra time.

Latch Trick

When you are away for a while, such as during a vacation, unplugging the garage door opener is a good idea. If you don’t have an opener installed, use a padlock on the latch or disable the door by running a bolt through a hole in the door track of the garage to prevent access through the overhead door when you are away.

Use a Timer

Some homeowners tend to leave their garage door open, displaying their valuable possessions to those driving by and sending an open invitation to garage door burglars.

If you are among those who frequently forgets to close their garage door, consider installing a timer. You can program the device to close the door after a set amount of time, and override the command in situations when you need the door to remain open, such as during a garage sale.

However, if you choose automated solutions, it is crucial to not take off immediately after you sit in your car. Wait a while for the door to close and make sure it does not open.

Keep Your Eyes Open

It is essential to realize that most break‑ins are planned and that burglars often keep target homes under surveillance for a few days. Spotting strangers in your surroundings can go a long way in protecting your home.

Don’t Get Complacent

Stay informed about new technologies that a garage door burglar may use to enter your home, and update your security systems accordingly.

Will a New Garage Door Help Prevent Thieves?

If you feel it’s time to upgrade your door to something more secure, we can help. Door Systems Metro Boston provides garage doors from the most trusted names in the industry, and we can help you find the door that best suits your needs, and answer any questions.

Look through our variety of robust residential garage doors, and get a free quote, so you can feel safer and have more peace of mind.

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