To a would-be burglar, the largest door on your home can be the biggest target for a break-in. Recent statistics found that 9 percent of all home burglaries occurred through the garage door. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to safeguard your garage door against forced entry.
Use Zip Ties to Stump Savvy Burglars
Thieves have many tricks up their sleeve when it comes to breaking into your garage. One trick involves using a metal coat hanger to reach and activate the emergency release handle inside the garage. Seasoned thieves can break into a garage in as little as six minutes simply by using this surprisingly simple trick.
Fortunately, this surprisingly simple trick can be defeated by using an equally surprising countermeasure -- zip ties. Looping a zip tie around the emergency release handle and the base of the garage door trolley prevents burglars from pulling the handle from the outside. Anyone inside the garage can still activate the emergency release handle with just a firm downward tug.
Keep Your Garage Door Opener Remote Out of Sight
Garage door remotes are a tempting target for the smash-and-grab connoisseur, setting the stage for a later garage door break-in. However tempting it is to simply leave your remote inside your car, you're better off taking it with you whenever you go indoors.
If you have no choice but to leave your garage door opener inside your vehicle, make sure it remains out of sight and under lock and key. A locked glove compartment is one of the best places to store your remote under such circumstances.
Consider Frosted Glass for Garage Door Windows
Clear garage door windows make it easy for burglars to scope out your garage before breaking in later on. To prevent burglars from getting a sneak peak at your valuables, use frosted window tint or spray paint on your garage door windows. Keeping your valuables out of immediate sight will help reduce the likelihood of a break-in.
Install Motion-Sensing Lights
Burglars prefer to do their dirty work under the cover of darkness. Motion-sensing lights can help shed light on the entire scene, driving off burglars caught in the act while deterring others from giving your garage door a try. Motion-sensing lights can be activated when someone attempts to open your garage door or if someone gets too close to the door itself.
Motion-sensing lights can be paired with your home security system, providing complete protection for your home. For instance, security cameras tied into motion-sensing lights can help catch would-be burglars in the act for later identification.
Contact a garage door installation service for more help.
