How To Secure Garage Doors
Protect your garage and your peace of mind with Arlo.
Protect your garage and your peace of mind with Arlo.
According to a study, 1 out of every 10 burglars uses the garage door as their access point. As a common entry point, your garage should be as protected as the rest of your house. However, what exactly can you do to protect it? After all, a garage door is simply a garage door, right? Well, in reality, there are numerous ways to improve your garage door security. From garage door sensors to outdoor security cameras and more, let’s explore how to secure your garage door today.
Whether you have an overhead garage door, a sectional door, or a roller, your garage entrance should always be protected from potential thieves. If you already know how to protect your car from thieves, here’s how to enhance your garage security and keep burglars away from your house.
First, don’t leave your garage door open. This may seem like an obvious tip, but the truth is, we all forget to do it sometimes. The problem is that 41% of home burglaries are ‘spur-of-the-moment’ incidents. An open garage door could be seen as an opportunity to enter your property and steal from you—or worse.
If you’re the forgetful type, there are a few workarounds for you. Modern automatic garage doors sometimes include a timer or smart closing feature. You can program it to always close the garage door a few minutes after being opened. You could even control the opening and closing of your garage door from your smartphone. If your garage door is older, you can add this feature with an aftermarket add-on.
A garage door sensor is designed to alert you whenever it is opened or closed. You can explore options like the Arlo Home Security System, which comes with All-in-One Sensors. Install them on your garage door. With tilt detection, you’ll receive a notification on your smartphone the moment someone opens the door.
A garage door sensor will only alert you if someone is actually trying to enter your house, but small sensors aren’t always a visual deterrent. For this reason, you should let potential intruders know your house is protected. If you’re installing an alarm system, remember to also put a yard sign up, like the Arlo Security Yard Sign.
Why stop at tilt detection? Alarm systems like the Arlo Home Security System with All-in-One Sensors are able to monitor many different threats. (Eight, to be precise.) Complement your security with motion detection, allowing you to protect the entire garage from intruders, not just your door. Plus, smoke alarm listening to get emergency help when a smoke alarm is triggered and CO alarm listening notifies you when a Carbon Monoxide alarm is set off.
The best way to expand your garage alarm system is by installing security cameras. Consider options like the Arlo 2nd Gen Essential Camera, with 2-Way Audio and Color Night Vision. Or choose a more premium option like the Arlo Ultra 2, which bumps the resolution up to 4K.
Security cameras are great for keeping an eye on your house at any moment, alerting you of unexpected visitors through smartphone notifications. Want to take security to the next level? Opt for a subscription plan like Arlo Secure, which adds 24/7 Professional Monitoring and other features to your security camera system.
Leaving your garage door remote opener in your car may be convenient, but it could also be dangerous. If burglars break into your car, they would also have access to your garage and your home. Avoid keeping your remote controller in your glove compartment or sun visor. Instead, it’s recommended to carry it with you. You could keep it in your purse, your pocket, or use a mini-remote on your keychain. While it may be bothersome at first, in the long run, it’s the safest approach.
Garage doors typically include a manual release cord for use in case of power outages or emergencies. Thieves are aware of this feature and may attempt to reach the cord, manually open the garage door, and gain access to your property. For instance, they could push the door to create a gap and insert a wire hook to pull the cord.
To prevent this, consider installing a protective shield that blocks the release cord entirely from the outside. While you can find some options in hardware stores, you can also take the DIY approach and build it yourself. A 3-sided shield of plywood around the garage door’s motor will be more than enough to further protect your home. Short on time? Tie the cord so it is out of reach against the ceiling.
If you’re preparing your house for an extended vacation, you should also consider installing an additional lock on your garage door. As previously mentioned, automatic garage doors can be tampered with, so a more traditional lock could do wonders for your peace of mind.
Add a heavy lock to your garage door and place the key in a secure location. Also, be sure to leave the lock inside the garage, so nobody can see it from outside. While this is not a security measure for your daily living, it works great for long trips.
Thieves love darkness because they can lurk around without being noticed. Adequate lighting, on the other hand, acts as a deterrent to potential thieves. With this in mind, consider installing an automated floodlight that will turn on as soon as movement is detected.
Options like the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera come with a bright LED-powered floodlight and built-in 2K video with HDR. Your garage will be protected day and night, giving you the chance to keep an eye on your property all day long.
Also, keep in mind that some security cameras, like the previously mentioned Arlo 2nd Gen Essential Camera, come with an Integrated Spotlight, doubling as security lights.
While you should focus on your garage door, don’t forget to assess every other possible access point to your garage. If by some chance a burglar does get into your garage, make sure they don’t make it inside by keeping your entry door locked or deadbolted. Luckily, every tip in this article applies to service doors and windows as well. With Arlo security cameras and a home security system, you can rest assured that nobody will be entering your garage except you and your family.
