If you're worried about the security of your home, take a close look at your garage door. You may think that your garage door is providing you with the security you need, but that might not be the case. Unfortunately, if your garage door isn't secure, your home is at an increased risk for break-ins. While you're upgrading the security around your home, read the list provided below. Here are four steps you can take to make your garage door more secure.
Start With a New Door
If you have an old garage door on your home, it might be time for a replacement. Outdated doors might not be constructed with the strongest materials. If you have an outdated door, burglars may be able to use that area as an entry point to your home. The best way to avoid that is to have a reinforced garage door installed on your home. Reinforced garage doors are harder to break into, which means yours will be more secure.
Update Your Garage Door Opener
If you still have the original garage door opener installed in your garage, you need to invest in a new one. There is a couple of problems with the older model garage door openers. First, the placement of the emergency release cord makes it easy for burglars to access it from outside your home. Second, the original garage door remotes worked on one single code. That means each time the remote is activated, the same code is used to open the door. Unfortunately, single codes are easy for burglars to replicate. Newer model garage door openers have an angled lease cord, which protects it from burglars. Also, newer model remotes use rolling codes. That means the code changes every time you open the door.
Utilize the Manual Garage Door Lock
If you're going out of town and your home will be empty overnight, use the manual garage door lock. Burglars target homes when the owners are away. Using the manual garage door lock will prevent burglars from gaining access through the garage door. Once the manual lock is engaged, the door won't open. Not sure where the manual lock is located? It's on the inside of your garage on the back of the garage door right in the center.
Replace Your Old Garage Door Remote
If you carry your garage door remote in your car, it's time to make a change. When your garage door remote is left in the car, it becomes the perfect target for burglars. To avoid that, switch to a key ring remote. That way, you can carry the remote with you.
For more information about residential garage doors, reach out to a professional.
Did you know that many break-ins happen through the garage? Once the intruder makes their way into your garage, they don't have far to go before they're able to enter your home itself. A good garage door can help protect against intruders, but what makes for a good garage door? It all comes down to choosing the right materials and the right kinds of locks, and then having the door installed properly. You can learn more about this selection process on this website. We've also compiled articles on other topics related to garage doors so you can acquire a complete, educational experience.