Leaving your garage door open is an invitation for the professional criminal, or for the first-timer, to take a bike, a lawnmower, or other things that can easily be sold. Even if you are going to be gone only a minute, close and lock the door. It doesn't take a thief more than a minute to ride off on that bike. Criminals know you have other things on your mind and count on you not being on the look out for them. The majority of thefts reported from garages occurred where the door was left open or was unlocked. Don't forget, that an open or unlocked garage door also can lead thieves right into your home.

Attached garages with wireless door openers provide a thief easy access to your home. When parking your car always carry your garage door opener in your purse or briefcase. If your car is stolen and the opener is left, it is easy for a burglar to determine your home address from your car registration. Burglars used garage door openers left in parked unlocked cars to open garage doors and enter the home through adjoining doors. The burglars open the garage, pulls in his vehicle, closes the door and works in complete privacy.

Two methods are available to the technically equipped thief. Your home has been under surveillance and determined a candidate for robbery. The thief, using a radio receiver - like a scanner, records the transmission from your hand held transmitter when you leave in the morning or return home in the afternoon. He now has the keys to your home!

An even easier approach is to purchase a generic replacement hand held garage door opener. These units are marketed for less than $20.00 and can be purchased at your favorite shopping mart. These units have a small switch DIP SWITCH that programs your opener's secret code into the remote unit. In a matter of a few minutes, a hacker with a remote unit can transmit EVERY CODE combination possible!

GARAGE DOOR SECURITY

OVERHEAD TRACK OPERATED GARAGE DOORS

Panels can be kicked through. Glass panels can be broken and entry gained by reaching in and unlatching. The track is usually secured loosely and the door can often be pried open.

WHAT TO DO

1. Install case hardened hasp and padlock on the outside.

2. Secure the track to the door with heavier screws in the hinges.

3. Pin the track above the bar by drilling two holes and inserting heavy nails or bolts.

4. A padlock can be used instead of a pin.

OVERHEAD COUNTER BALANCED GARAGE DOORS

Panels can be kicked through. Glass panels can be broken and entry gained by reaching in and unlatching.

WHAT TO DO

Some of the locks installed by manufacturers are of poor quality. Install two case hardened hasp and padlocks.

SAFETY ISSUES

Remember that your garage door is also a fire exit, so keep that in mind when planning your locking method.

THINK ABOUT IT

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