Is Your Garage A Home Security Risk? 5 Hazards To Consider

The garage is one of the primary entry points through which thieves and intruders can get into your home. Is it as secure as it can be? In fact, many garages may lack proper security, often through the homeowner simply being unaware of common risk points. To help you avoid this problem, here are a few of the most likely trouble spots and what you can do to make your garage more secure. 

1. Old Garage Doors

Like any element of your home, the garage door doesn't last forever. How old is your door? Because it's exposed to the elements — wind, rain, snow, sun, and ice — 24 hours a day, it can eventually start to corrode, rust, and chip. Individual parts of the physical latching system may fail. It may warp and fail to create good seals. And it could eventually stop working properly altogether. 

It's important to regularly inspect the garage door's stability, functionality, and condition. Make repairs as soon as possible. And as the door ages and garage technology improves, replace it on a schedule as well. 

2. Insecure Garage Openers

The remote used to open and close the garage door has two main security risks. First, many homeowners and renters keep their remote in the car, but this opens up your security to intruders if they get into your car and access that remote while unattended. 

The second remote opener hazard is the security of the transmitted code itself. Older remote control systems were vulnerable through things like using similar codes for similar models of the door as well as insecure code operation. Make sure your remote opening system takes advantage of modern security tech. 

3. Garage Door Windows

Can thieves see inside your garage through the door? If you want windows to help bring more light into the garage or for their aesthetic appeal, make sure no one can look through them to see what you store in the garage or to assess home security through the door to the house.

The easiest solution is frosted glass windows. These allow light in and give the outside effect desired, but they block unwanted eyes. And don't forget to add frosting to any exterior rear doors or the door between the garage and home. 

4. Emergency Release Mechanisms

The overhead garage door is an important piece of home security technology, locking in your vehicles and adding a security layer for the home. But it's also a potentially dangerous overhead hazard for which safety backups are installed.

One of these — the interior emergency latch — can become a theft hazard if someone can break into your door by accessing it from outside. There are a number of solutions for risks inherent in safety features, including adding a shield to the emergency latch or securing its cord out of reach of the door. Another access point, the throw latch, should be intentionally easy to secure when you're out of town. 

5. Unsecured Back Doors

Finally, don't forget to give attention to the back garage door. Attached garages have a door leading to the home, and unattached (and often attached) garages often have a rear-entry door. Make sure you assess this door's condition when inspecting the overhead door. Use high-quality deadbolts and automatic locking systems to prevent intrusion. 

Where to Start

Could your garage be an unintentional security hazard at home? If you're not sure, get help assessing its strengths and weaknesses — and help fixing these — by meeting with the pros at  Overhead Doors Unlimited, LLC. We'll work with you to ensure your family and property is as safe as possible no matter what challenges your garage offers. Call today to make an appointment.