Being In Touch With Your Garage Door

When most people think about the main entry points to their homes, they tend to think about their front, side, and back doors. One area that often gets overlooked is that of the garage door, which may not be as secure as you think. Fortunately, by taking a few extra precautions with your garage door and maintaining it properly, you can increase the security of your garage and your home overall.

DO Add An Interior Lock

When you park your car in the garage, do you have an access door leading straight into your home? If so, it's time to start locking it (if you don't already) when you leave. If the door doesn't have a lock, add one--preferably a deadbolt. It'll take two extra seconds to use a key to open your door, but it'll add an extra layer of security in the event somebody were to gain access to your garage.

DON'T Leave Your Opener in a Car

One of the biggest garage door security mistakes people make is that of leaving their garage door opener remotes in their vehicles at all times. Sure, it might seem convenient, but what if your car got broken into or stolen? Anybody could easily gain access to your garage and possibly your home as a result. If you like the convenience of having your opener remote on you in the car, consider investing in a remote opener that attaches to your key chain.

DO Install Doors Without Windows

Do your garage doors have windows on them that allow you to see straight into your garage? If so, it might be time to consider replacing your doors with a style that doesn't have windows or that includes frosted windows. After all, if your windows are large enough, they can easily be broken out by a thief or burglar and used to gain access into your garage.

DON'T Leave Your Garage Door Open

Last but certainly not least, stop leaving your garage door open when you're home! Too many people do this because they think they live in a safe neighborhood, but it's the safe neighborhoods where the criminals like to do their work. All it takes is a few seconds for a seasoned criminal to pop into your garage while you're not looking and steal something--or even worse--break into your home. Avoid this by leaving your garage doors closed at all times when not in use.

For more information, talk to a professional like America's Garage Doors LLC.