Top Garage Door Security Measures for Homeowners

The garage is a prime entry point for burglars seeking to gain access to expensive power tools, exercise equipment, or your car. These security measures empower homeowners to fortify their garage and create a secure barrier against break-ins.

Combine these strategies with whole-home systems for a robust defense. This includes smart door controllers that can integrate with home security systems to give you complete visibility and control.

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Upgrade Your Door Material

The garage door is often a potential entry point for burglars, especially when it is made of cheap materials or doesn’t have an effective lock. By incorporating security measures such as installing cameras and reinforcing windows with shatterproof film or bars, homeowners can transform their garage into a resilient barrier against criminals, offering peace of mind and safety even when they’re away from home.

Other preventive tactics like enhancing lighting, keeping the garage door closed at night, and padlocking the throw latch are also important to take. Smart technology such as Liftmaster’s MyQ system allows you to monitor and control your garage doors remotely, ensuring they are always locked – even when you forget to close them. This is an additional deterrent to thieves as they will be instantly caught on camera.

Upgrade Your Locks

While enhancing thief deterrents like a solid wood door or a smart opener are important, you should also consider upgrading your garage door locks. The door between your garage and home should be equipped with a strong deadbolt and a reinforced strike plate. It’s also a good idea to add locks on service doors and the door that leads into your house.

Security cameras are another great option for securing your garage. Whether you install a hard-wired, standalone camera or opt for an easy-to-install option, these cameras are a powerful deterrent that can capture incriminating footage of thieves.

Many burglars gain access to a house through the garage, often by taking advantage of an emergency release cord intended for use during emergencies. Shortening this cord to a shorter length will help prevent burglars from using it to enter your garage and steal valuables.

Install a Modern Opener

The garage serves a vital role in home security, protecting cars and valuable possessions. It’s also a popular entry point for burglars, making it especially important to take steps to reinforce garage door security.

A resourceful crook can open your garage door in a matter of seconds using nothing more than a wire coat hanger and a bit of creativity. To avoid this, install a device that prevents access to the emergency release cord.

Smart home security systems that offer real-time monitoring and smartphone control provide another layer of protection, deterring thieves and providing a sense of peace of mind. Installing motion-sensing lights also dissuades robbers by instantly lighting up the area whenever someone moves nearby.

Install Security Cameras

Many homeowners forget that their garage door is an entry point to the rest of their home. If you’re one of those people who clip their garage door remote to the car visor or toss it in the glovebox, burglars could easily use that code to enter your house through the attached garage.

Installing security cameras is a smart way to protect your garage and home, especially when you aren’t there. A quality camera that captures clear footage of anyone who tries to break in can help law enforcement catch and prosecute thieves.

Bright lighting is also an effective deterrent, ensuring that you can see someone who’s scoping out your home for entry points at night. Add motion-detecting flood lights to your garage and throughout the home to light up any suspicious activity.

Cover Your Windows

A garage door that’s left wide open gives a burglar easy access to your home. It’s important to keep the doors closed and add privacy by covering garage windows or adding translucent or frosted film to them.

Don’t leave your garage door remote in the car; a thief can take it out of the glove box and use it to open your doors or enter your house. Instead, get a keychain remote and keep it with your keys.

Well-lit areas are a deterrent for burglars, and security cameras can help you monitor the area after dark. Adding motion-activated lighting that illuminates the area when someone approaches is also an effective deterrent. It’s easy to install and a great addition to your home safety plan.