Summary:
Your garage door can be a vulnerable entry point for burglars, with about 9% of break-ins occurring through garages. Fortunately, there are several effective ways to enhance garage door security and protect your home.
First, consider applying frosted film to garage door windows to prevent thieves from peering inside. Next, upgrade to a smart garage door opener like the Chamberlain MyQ, which allows you to monitor and control the door remotely from your phone. Devices like GarageDoorBuddy can notify you of door activity even without a smart opener.
Never leave your garage door opener in your car—treat it like a house key. Instead, carry it with you or use a rolling code opener, which prevents signal spoofing. Smart systems can also disable access or auto-close the door at scheduled times.
Lighting is another deterrent. Motion-activated floodlights, such as solar-powered models or the Ring Smart Floodlight, can scare off potential intruders and improve nighttime visibility. Additionally, manual locks, like the Prime-Line T-Handle or interior slide locks, offer added protection for both manual and automatic doors.
Always keep the door between your garage and home locked. Installing a steel security door with a deadbolt adds another layer of defense. Security cameras like the Google Nest Cam can monitor activity and store footage in the cloud, making them useful deterrents and evidence collectors. Many integrate with smart home systems for added convenience.
Finally, address a common break-in trick: burglars may use a wire hanger to pull the emergency release cord from outside. To prevent this, simply cut the loop from the red cord. This quick fix eliminates the easiest access point and improves overall garage security.
Implementing these steps can greatly reduce the risk of garage-related break-ins and provide peace of mind.
Bob Vila
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