Entry through your garage door is one of the ways criminals can access your home and steal items stored in your garage—if you’re not careful. Even though you lock your doors and windows, the garage entryway is one area that is often overlooked.
Here are 12 ways to prevent garage break ins.
1. Never leave the garage door open
Whether you’re stepping out for a walk or mowing the lawn, these few minutes that the garage door is open offers access to people to see the valuable tools and household items you have stored in your garage and potentially gain access to your unlocked car and your house itself.
Make it a habit to always close the garage door after entering or exiting, or install a timer to automatically close the door.
2. Securely lock your garage door
3. Take your garage door remote with you
Never leave the remote control for your garage door inside your car. It’s far too easy for someone to break into your car, get your address and use your remote to open your garage door and gain access to your home.
Whether you are at work, out shopping or playing, or simply have your car parked in your driveway, take the garage door remote inside with you. An option is to acquire a key fob remote that remains on your keychain.
Related: 6 Tips for Security Your Garage

4. Cover windows
5. Choose a solid garage door
6. Install high-quality locks
7. Play the radio
8. Install motion-detecting security lighting
A well-lit garage can help deter thieves who are looking for an easy mark. Install motion detectors to turn on security lighting whenever activity is sensed around your garage doors.

9. Install security cameras
10. Install a garage alarm
Just as with a window alarm, a garage alarm will sound if a garage door is tampered with. Loud alarms will both scare away potential thieves and alert you to unwanted activity around your home.
Garage alarms can also be linked to local alarm companies and police departments for additional garage door security.
11. Install a garage door lock timer
12. Disengage your emergency release
Did you know that someone can stick a coat hanger under your garage door and trip the emergency release? Prevent garage break ins by using a zip tie hack to disable your security system, or remove the emergency pull. Teach everyone in the family how to open the garage door in case of emergency.

Contact G&S Garage Doors
At G&S Garage Doors, we’re concerned about your safety. That’s why we offer things like these 12 ways to prevent garage break ins. We also sell and install top-quality garage doors, garage door openers, accessories and security features, and repair garage doors.
For more than 25 years, we’ve been serving customers throughout the Northern Virginia area. Give us a call and let us help secure your home.