All 4 Seasons Garage & Entry Doors provides the top 5 security tips to keep your home safe. The garage door has come a long way in terms of safety, convenience and security features, even for a modestly priced door. Modern garage doors require far less maintenance and are built with amazingly good insulation properties. A good-looking garage door is a pleasant extension of your home’s architectural style and décor, markedly increasing the value of your home. Most importantly, garage doors give homeowners peace of mind in terms of proactively protecting loved ones. At All Four Seasons, garage door security is one of our paramount concerns.
Garage Door Security: The Easy Method
Ironically, it is the legally-mandated safety release feature on all modern garage doors that many criminals look to exploit first when planning a garage break-in. With a simple wire coat hanger, thieves can easily gain entry to your home through the garage. However, if your garage door has windows without a frost or cover, this makes such break-ins idiot-proof, especially for the more clumsy criminals. Some homeowners go so far as to disable the safety release arm entirely. This is unadvised because this feature is a literal life-saver in an emergency.
The easiest, most effective remedy is to wrap the safety arm release lever with a zip-tie or sturdy tape. This will stop criminals in their tracks and can be broken with a sturdy yank of the arm in an emergency situation.
The Balance Between Convenience & Security
Because many people use their garage door as one of the primary points of access to their home, it’s easy to forget to close the door or lock it every time you’re away — especially during hectic “auto-pilot” moments when shuffling children to school or trying to get to work on time.
However, the No. 1 way of keeping your home secure is to remember to shut your garage door and secure it when you’re away or at night. Never be complacent, even in neighborhoods considered safe. Low crime neighborhoods are especially alluring to criminals — because no one expects anything bad to happen.
Little Things
Some of the easiest steps a homeowner can take to thwart would-be thieves from using the garage door as an entry point to their home are simple precautions.
For starters, don’t leave your remote garage door opener in your car. If your car becomes the target of a burglary, it’s possible for the thief to use your garage opener to gain access to your home. It’s worth the money to invest in a remote opener that you can put on your keychain.
Thoroughly secure the door from your garage to your home by installing a deadbolt and making sure to use every lock on the door. You might even consider a new door if the current one is not made of solid-core wood or reinforced steel. Basically, this door should be just as secure as your front door. Most home security consultants recommend keeping this door locked any time you’re not using your garage. For an extra security measure, have a wide-angle peephole installed so you can investigate suspicious noises without unlocking the door.
One of the most effective, simple and cost-effective security items is a motion-sensor flood-light outside your garage. It turns on and off automatically, saving electricity and prolonging the life of the bulb while deterring possible intruders.
Consider installing a sliding bar lock on your garage door for use when on vacation or even every night. Some models allow the lock to be attached to either side of the garage door, depending on your preference and desired convenience level.
The One Way to Guarantee Garage Door Security
If you have concerns about the safety of your garage door, it is important to be proactive. The best way to guarantee the security of your home is to have a professional assess your situation. The experts at All 4 Seasons Garages have years of experience installing and maintaining garage doors and exterior doors. We understand safety. Call us today or fill out a contact form, and you will hear back from us within 24 hours!