3 Ways to Safeguard Your Home & Garage Door from Burglars

3 Ways to Safeguard Your Home & Garage Door from Burglars

According to the FBI, a burglary occurs in the United States every 18 seconds. That means while you’re reading this blog (which takes about 2-3 minutes), 10 families will have their homes invaded. The average cost of these break-ins? A staggering $2,185 – often more than the cost of a high-quality, secure garage door.

Thieves are opportunistic. They target the easiest and most profitable break-ins. This is good news! By taking steps to secure your home, you become a less appealing target. And your garage door plays a vital role in your home’s security.

A Secure Garage Door Deters Break-ins

  • Strong Materials: A sturdy steel door with proper insulation is far more difficult to break through compared to a flimsy wooden door.
  • Automatic Openers: Modern automatic openers with rolling codes prevent unauthorized access through signal hacking.
  • Security Features: A great door has great security features like automatic locking mechanisms and safety sensors to further deter break-ins.

Investing in a secure garage door isn’t just about protecting your car; it’s about safeguarding your entire home and your family’s peace of mind. But do you know if your garage door is secure? You should maybe look and check to see if your garage door is strong enough for your home.

HOW LONG AGO WAS YOUR GARAGE DOOR OPENER INSTALLED?

Not sure? That’s likely a problem. If your opener is older than 1993, it’s time to get a new one — pronto! (You can check how old it is on the label near the motor housing. You can usually find out by lifting the cover over the light bulb.)

Anything older than 1993 needs to be replaced. Prior to that, the signal to operate the opener was coded via dip switches (in position +, 0, -). That’s super easy for thieves. That 8th grade tech geek who lives next door can probably hack the code and raid all the beer in your garage fridge.

CONSIDER A WIRELESS HOME SECURITY SYSTEM

According to the FBI, a burglary occurs in the United States every 18 seconds. That’s a sobering statistic, and a study by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology reveals a concerning trend: burglars often target homes without security measures. 

While a robust home security system is crucial, it’s not the only line of defense. Creating a layered security approach deters criminals and makes your home a less appealing target. Studies show burglars often target homes with traditional security systems because they can cut phone lines to disable alarms. A wireless access control system eliminates this vulnerability, providing constant protection. You can connect two key entryways to this security system. 

  • A Smart Garage Door: A sturdy steel door with advanced features like automatic locking mechanisms and rolling-code openers significantly deters break-ins.
  • Security or Driveway Gate: Adding a security gate at your driveway entrance creates an additional physical barrier, further deterring criminals and delaying their access to your home. There’s peace of mind in knowing a would-be intruder must breach two security measures before even reaching your front door.

Modern wireless security systems are affordable and easy to install. Combined with a secure garage door and a security gate, you create a layered security system that safeguards your home and your family’s peace of mind.

STOP LEAVING YOUR REMOTE IN YOUR CAR

Far too many homeowners leave their remote inside their car. Worse, they’ll leave it clipped to the visor in plain sight. If you happen to park in the driveway, all it takes is a good size rock and a broken window to open your garage door at a push of a button.

Instead, get a remote that fits on your keychain. This way, the remote comes safely into the house with you. And you don’t lose out on convenience, since it’s right there on your keychain.

If you do opt for the keychain remote, be careful the button doesn’t get pushed in your pocket or jacket. You might consider hanging up your keys out of habit when you walk in the door.

CONSIDER INSTALLING A WINDOWLESS GARAGE DOOR OR TINT EXISTING WINDOWS

Windows in a garage are great for natural light, but they provide potential thieves a personal view of the menu. There’s no need to give the temptation to look inside your garage, eyeball your Mercedes, powertools, or that sweet mountain bike you got for Christmas. Privacy is also security.

That’s why you should always consider a windowless garage door when researching choices for a new garage door installation. If getting a new garage door anytime soon is not an option, add some tint to existing windows for privacy. You can also consider a gate at the end of your driveway. It doesn’t have to be any luxurious option but even a small security gate can serve as a major deterrent as it suggests a greater access control security system.

CONSIDER INSTALLING A SMART GARAGE DOOR OPENER

Imagine the peace of mind knowing you can control and monitor your garage door from anywhere in the world. You can be on vacation in Europe and get a security notification letting you alert the proper authorities to protect your home. With a smart garage door opener, this convenience becomes reality, adding a vital layer of security to your home.

  • Remote Control & Monitoring: Control your garage door directly from your smartphone. No more worrying if you forgot to close the door – simply close it remotely, whether you’re at the office or on vacation. This system can also be shared with any automated gates you have in your home. With newer electronic openers, smart and WiFi connectivity is fully available to let you close your gate from anywhere.
  • Real-Time Alerts: Receive instant notifications if your garage door is left open unexpectedly, allowing you to take immediate action.
  • Security Cameras (Optional): Integrate your smart garage door opener with a security camera for a visual confirmation of any activity near your garage.
  • Enhanced Security Features: Many smart garage door openers offer additional security features like automatic closing timers, rolling-code technology to prevent unauthorized access, and compatibility with smart home systems for a unified security network.

Smart garage door openers are an affordable and convenient way to upgrade your home security. They provide peace of mind, remote control capabilities, and the potential to integrate with other smart home features.

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