A garage door helps keep elements like sun, snow, rain, and wind away from your parked vehicle, but it can also be an attractive feature that adds value to your property. Unfortunately, it also attracts burglars, as it’s often the largest, most visible entrance to your home. Moreover, many garage doors are insecure due to mistakes made by the homeowners.

5 Tips to Prevent Garage Door Break-Ins

1. Add Another Lock

Provide your home with an extra layer of security by installing a lock on the garage's inside. A sliding bar lock is effective and affordable. Once the lock bar is extended, it stops the wheels of the door from moving up the track.

2. Invest in a Door Timer

Cut down on instances when you forget to close the garage by investing in a timer. This little device will signal your remote to close the garage door after a preset time.

3. Keep the Area Bright

Bright lights on your property can keep thieves at bay. Install automatic lights or those with motion sensors around your home and in front of your garage. Robbers prefer to invade a home under the cover of darkness, avoiding ones that are well-lit. Meanwhile, lights that activate automatically can fool them into thinking someone's home, which is an added deterrent.

4. Protect Your Windows

If your garage door has windows or glass panels, make sure they are properly sealed and kept closed when you are not home to prevent easy access for burglars. Consider getting frosted panes for the windows to keep prying eyes out. As an extra safety step, putting up a sign in your yard that states your garage is protected by cameras can also prevent break-ins. 

5. Secure Your Remote Opener & Keypad

Never give out the security code to your garage keypad, and make sure no one sees you inputting the numbers. You should also change your code regularly. The remote opener can also provide burglars easy access to your home, so choose a keychain version and bring the remote with you wherever you go.

Your home is your castle. Help protect it by investing in a new garage door from Southside Garage Door. Based in Rosemount, MN, the company specializes in custom garage doors and also does installations and repairs. Visit their website to learn more about their services, or call (651) 423-7444 to speak with a representative and learn more ways about how to protect your garage.