Your garage is more than just a place to park your car; it’s an extension of your home, often storing valuable tools, sports equipment, and providing direct access to your living space. Yet, it remains one of the most vulnerable entry points for intruders. Prioritizing garage door security is not just about protecting belongings—it’s about ensuring the safety and peace of mind for your entire family.
Implementing simple, proactive measures can significantly deter burglaries and safeguard against accidental injury. Here are 7 essential garage door security tips every homeowner needs to know to keep their family safe year-round.
1. Upgrade to Rolling Code Technology
If your garage door opener is more than 10 years old, it likely uses a fixed-code system. This is a significant security risk.
The Dangers of Fixed-Code Openers
Older openers transmit the same access code every time you press the remote. Thieves use code-grabbing devices to capture this signal, effectively giving them a digital key to your home.
- The Solution: Modern openers use rolling code technology. This system generates a new, random code with every use, making it virtually impossible for thieves to intercept and duplicate the signal. When you upgrade, you immediately enhance your garage door security.
2. Secure or Hide Your Remote Control
Leaving your garage remote visible in your car is the equivalent of leaving your house key on the doormat. If a thief breaks into your car (even while parked in the driveway), they gain immediate access to your entire home.
- Keychain Remotes: Carry a small keychain remote with you, treating it exactly like your car keys.
- Use a Wall Keypad: Rely more on a securely mounted, coded exterior keypad and keep the remote safely locked inside the house or in your pocket. This is an essential practice for maintaining high garage door security.
3. Fortify the Emergency Release Mechanism
One of the most common and simple break-in methods involves the “coat hanger” trick, where a burglar uses a wire to hook the red emergency release cord from the top of the door.
How to Disable the External Hook
While the cord must remain functional for emergencies, you can prevent easy external access:
- Use a Zip Tie: Thread a heavy-duty plastic zip tie through the hole in the emergency release lever and around the carriage assembly. This secures the lever and prevents a quick, clean pull from the outside, yet can still be snapped by a strong, internal pull in a true emergency.
- Install a Release Lock: Dedicated products exist that slide over the release mechanism to block external manipulation while preserving internal function.
4. Install a Secondary Manual Locking System
An automatic opener is great for convenience, but it is not a deadbolt. For maximum garage door security, especially when going on vacation, add a physical lock.
- Slide Bolts: Install slide bolts or a robust padlock on one of the door tracks. This physically blocks the door’s movement and is the strongest defense against forced entry.
- Vacation Mode: If your opener has a “Vacation Mode” on the wall console, activate it. This temporarily disables all wireless remotes, adding an extra layer of protection while you are away.
5. Leverage Smart Technology and Monitoring
Smart garage door openers integrate seamlessly with your smart home system, offering convenience and a massive security boost.
- Real-Time Alerts: Receive instant alerts on your phone if your garage door opens, closes, or is left open for too long. This prevents the common mistake of accidentally leaving your garage door open.
- Remote Control: Check the door’s status and close it from anywhere in the world using your smartphone, ensuring family safe access control.
6. Secure the Interior Access Door
If a burglar successfully bypasses your garage door security and gains entry to the garage, the internal door leading into your house is the last line of defense.
- Treat it Like an Exterior Door: The internal garage door should be a solid-core or metal door.
- Install a Deadbolt: Most importantly, install a heavy-duty deadbolt lock (separate from the handle lock) and always keep this door locked, even when you are home. Many homeowners fail to do this, giving intruders an easy path from the garage into the main house.
Your Next Step to a Safer Home
A secure garage door is the first step toward a secure home. By implementing these 7 essential garage door security tips, you actively reduce the risk of break-ins and ensure your family safe living environment.
Ready to upgrade your peace of mind? Contact a certified local garage door or Call 970-367-8600 technician today for a comprehensive security assessment and installation of a rolling code opener and a manual locking system!