Prevent break-ins through your garage

You may be surprised to realize that a residential burglary occurs every minute and a half in Canada and every 18 seconds in the United States. In addition, 80% and 60% of those break-ins occur during the daylight hours.

One of the most popular entry points for this type of break-in is through a garage. Beyond that, this area often houses valuable belongings like ATVs, mountain bikes, and motorcycles. Another thing to know is that in most cases these robberies happen because of a mistake on the part of a homeowner. Have you ever forgot to lock your car door when out and about?

Most thieves are aware of how to be discreet even in parking lots while looking to see which car doors are unlocked. If the door isn’t, the person might look for your remote opener on your sun visor, where nearly everyone leaves it. If it is, it only takes a moment to grab that and check your vehicle registration for your address. At that point, they have access to your home at any time and it only took a few minutes to do so.

Sure, you may think that sort of thing would never happen to you. However, just in case, we have some tips that can help you out.

1. Find out exactly how old your garage door opener is

• It’s okay if you aren’t sure, because you can check. Go to the door opener in your garage and take a look at the label which is posted on the motor housing. In most cases, the date of manufacture can be found under the plastic cover that protects the lightbulb.
• If the date that you see is before 1993, it is highly recommended that you consider changing to a new opener to keep yourself and your family safe.
• Before 1993, the coding signal for your opener are simple and used dip switches with positions of +, 0, and -. This was easy for thieves to get access to, which allowed them to enter your home later on when you were gone.

2. Take the remote off your sun visor and hide it

• The number one rule is not to leave your remote on the sun visor.
• Instead, find a spot that nobody would think to look in and hide it there. You can also just keep it with you.
• You can also choose to use a mini remote control (375UT) which will clip right on your keyring. Just remember, if you leave it in a clothing pocket at home, be aware that if someone leans or sits on it, it can active the door opener. This is why it is best to make it a habit to leave your keys on a hook on the wall or a table by the door.
• As of 2017, you can also make use of a smartphone app for your garage door opener using Chamberlain / LiftMaster’s MyQ

3. Options when going on vacation or leaving your home for a trip

• If you want to be safe, it’s best to disconnect the motor of the opener from the electrical outlet. This will make it impossible for anyone to tamper with your keypad outside or use a remove control to gain access to your garage.
• You can also choose to push the lock button which is located on the control panel which is near the door that leads into your home. If you do this, be sure you press the button firmly and ensure a light starts blinking to let you know that it worked.
• Another option is to install a side lock inside of your door with a steel rode that engages in the vertical rail. This type of lock can even be locked with a padlock. Just be sure that when you get home, you unlock it before attempting to operate your garage door using the remote.
• A final option comes courtesy of LiftMaster and operates as an automatic lock (841LM). You can activate it easily using only your smartphone. It does require that the opener be connected to a Wi-Fi network.

4. About those windows you may have at the top of your garage door

• It doesn’t take a lot of effort for a would-be burglar to look in your windows and see what you have stored inside the garage.
• Even worse, if the thief is carrying around a metal clothes hanger, it’s not hard to disengage the release latch located on the track of your door opener.
• One thing to do if your windows are clear is to cover them with a curtain or add a privacy film that is reflective or opaque.
• If you have the intention of switching our your garage door in the future, think about ordering windows that already include tinted or frosted glass.

5. Consider upgrading to a more rigid garage door

• If you have a garage door with a single polystyrene insulation panel or your door is not insulated, these tips are especially important for you.
• Pick a garage door which has both sides covered in steel sheeting, also called a sandwich-style door. This door can be rammed with a steel bar or electric saw without giving in. If you select to purchase a door with 1 ¾” (45 mm) polyurethane, that is going to be even stronger.

6. Stay protected no matter what time of day or night it is

• Always take the time to check that you have closed the garage door each night. Most police forces will suggest that you visit each of your access doors at about 9 pm to be sure each of them is locked properly. When it comes to the garage door, you can also use a monitor (829LM) that lets you know if the door has been closed. You can also utilize LiftMaster’s MyQ technology to see the status from your smartphone.
• It’s a good idea to have lighting around your home and your garage. If you prefer, having lighting and motion detectors is even better.

• You may also wish to consider connecting a security camera to your Wi-Fi network for an extra layer of protection.
• Another option is to choose an alarm system that connects to your garage door system.
• Finally, a simple option is to leave a stereo running in the garage at all times. As long as it’s tuned into a station where a voice can be heard, it will keep people away from your garage.

If you want the best possible security available

Now is the perfect time to contact us. We have a broad knowledge of garage doors and can help you make the perfect choice based on your requirements. We can also offer insight about your security options while keeping to your budget. If you are interested, we can also send you a quotation by email.

If you’d like, you can also visit us at our showroom. If you are looking to switch your garage door, you may want to check out our Design Centre to determine what style you like. If you need more inspiration, we have an image gallery with lots of examples.