True or false: your automatic garage door is secure because no one can get in without a code or garage door opener. The answer? False.
There are several ways burglars can break into a garage, even one with an automatic door. We’ve got 10 tips and recommendations to follow so you can keep your home and garage safe.
Adding technology to your garage is a great way to help you make sure your garage door is closed when you’re not home. We recommend the Chamberlain MyQ system, which lets you remotely monitor your garage door from the free app (for iOS and Android). The MyQ system includes a garage door sensor and an internet hub that you install inside the garage. It integrates with Nest products and XFINITY Home, so it’s a great option if you already have smart home products.
The fact that the MyQ system is compatible with virtually all garage doors manufactured after 1993 sets it apart from the competition. The MyQ can control up to two garage doors, but you will need to purchase a second sensor (under $50 on Amazon) for the second garage door. If you have a more recently manufactured garage door with the MyQ logo on the opener, it may already have the technology installed, so you can purchase just the internet hub ($49.94 on Amazon) to control your garage door from your phone.
The main drawback to MyQ is that you can create only one account for your system, so only one phone will receive notifications when the garage door opens and closes. For families with lots of people coming and going, this may be less than helpful. But because MyQ lets you check on the garage and control it remotely, and it is widely compatible, it is still our top recommendation to make sure your garage door is closed when you need it to be.
Smartphone monitoring capabilitiesAbility to open and close the garage door from your phoneCompatibility with most garage doorsEasy installation and setupFree app for iOS and AndroidNest and XFINITY Home integration
Permissions for only one user accountNo timer to automatically close the garage doorA garage door timer is also an excellent device to help you make sure that you never forget to close the garage door after you leave the house or even when you come home. Of course, there are times when you’ll want to leave the garage door open for an extended period—like if you are working in the yard or cleaning out the garage—so a good timer can easily be turned off temporarily.
We recommend the Magic Closer Automatic Garage Door Closer because it’s easy to install and use. It has three settings that prompt the garage door to close after 5 minutes, 15 minutes, or 6 hours. It also has a clearly visible “off” button, so leaving the garage door open for a project isn’t a problem.
The Magic Closer is compatible with virtually all automatic garage doors manufactured after 1993, though it’s not recommended for garage doors made after 2012 with additional advanced technology (such as MyQ or Security+ 2.0 technology). The Magic Closer isn’t fancy or complicated, but it does its job reliably and with minimal hassle.
Easy installationCompatibility with all garage door brandsThree timer settings and a clear “off” buttonNo compatibility with advanced technology
Wide, 200-degree viewing angleAbility to fit doors from 1 ⅜ to 2 inches thickLow costEasy installationNeed for additional drilling tools when installingAnother commonly overlooked tip is to avoid leaving your garage door opener in a visible location in your car. You wouldn’t leave your house keys in your car, so why make the key to your garage (and therefore the rest of your house) easily accessible to thieves? Keep the opener in a discreet location in your car, or, even better, get a garage door opener that attaches to your keychain. Make sure the keychain remote matches the type of garage door you have and that it uses rolling code technology.* The LiftMaster Mini Keychain Garage Door Opener has all the qualities we recommend and would be an excellent choice for a compatible LiftMaster garage door.
Ability to attach to a keychainRolling code technology to send a new code every time you use itLong-lasting battery (5 years)Compatibility with all LiftMaster and Chamberlain garage doors manufactured since 1993Simple self-programming capabilityLess durable construction so it may break or wear out with excessive useOne of the best ways to deter thieves from targeting your garage is to make sure the outside of your home is well lit, and installing motion-activated lights is the best way to do that. Because you don’t have to leave the lights on all night or worry about turning them off in the morning, you save money and energy and extend the life of the lightbulb. For help choosing a great motion detector light, check our best security lights article.
For outside your garage, we recommend the MAXSA Innovations 40218. It has two adjustable LED lights for more coverage and a detection range of up to 40 feet. It is easy to install and has several customizable settings—you can determine how quickly it turns off, the range for motion detection, and the amount of darkness needed to activate the light.
Some consumers reported that because it is not completely waterproof, the MAXSA performed inconsistently in the rain. If you live in an area that sees more rain than clear skies, another motion-activated light, like the LAMPAT Waterproof Wireless Solar Light ($39.99 on Amazon), will probably be a better fit. Otherwise, the MAXSA is an excellent choice to deter would-be burglars.
LED lights that produce 160 lumens (total)Easily positioned light heads for maximum area coverageMotion detection from up to 40 feet awaySolar-powered battery to save energySimple, DIY installation and customized settingsInconsistent performance in rainWe suggest using a sliding bar lock, which is inexpensive but effective in preventing the garage door from rising. We like the Prime-Line Products GD 52118 Inside Deadlock. This lock attaches at one side of the garage door track, and when the lock bar is extended, it prevents the wheels of the garage door from traveling up the track, either automatically or manually.
You can install the lock yourself, though many users reported that they had to purchase additional hardware for it. The lock is sturdy and works with a wide range of garage doors, but be aware that it is not universally compatible.
Low priceCompatibility with many garage doorsDIY installationSturdy materials and constructionAbility to be installed on either side of a garage doorPotential need for additional hardwareSeveral years ago, a video was passed around the internet that demonstrated how thieves could quickly and easily disable an automatic garage door. The video showed that by wedging open the top of the garage door just a small amount, a thief could slip a coat hanger through the gap and use it to pull on the emergency release on the door inside the garage. After that, they could manually open the garage door from the outside.
In order to protect your home from this kind of attack, we recommend the Garage Shield, which attaches to the emergency release bar to shield the release handle from attack. It’s a one-time purchase that shouldn’t need to be replaced, and it doesn’t require any additional tools for installation. The only consistent complaint we found is that the shield and components are made of plastic, not metal, so it felt flimsy. However, the shield still performs well, regardless of the materials used.
Quick and easy installationAbility to adapt to most garage doorsDesign that won’t interfere with the operation of the garage door or emergency releaseNo need for additional installation toolsPlastic construction rather than metalOne of the best things you can do to protect your garage door is to set up a monitored security system with a garage door sensor. If you don’t already have a security system in place, we highly recommend getting one. You can check out our top-recommended home security systems. If you already have a security system, find out if your company has a garage door sensor or other options that will help you keep tabs on who comes in through the garage.
The biggest advantage of using a monitored security system is that you know that someone else is watching to make sure your home stays safe. If the worst should happen, you know that backup is available to help you right away. Because a garage door is easy to leave open and has some general security risks, the extra protection is absolutely worth the cost.
Burglars and thieves are generally opportunistic, so don’t give them the chance to take advantage of an open or unsecured garage door. There are many common sense ways to protect your garage—like keeping the door shut, covering the windows, and adding lighting—in addition to several products that will greatly enhance the security of your garage. Take time to evaluate your garage’s weakest points and do whatever is necessary to make it safe.
What do you do to keep your garage secure?
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