Secure your Garage and Boost Home Security

When you and your family are away from your home for an extended time, thieves who periodically case your neighborhood will take notice. Of course, not all neighborhoods fall victim to thieves, but many easily can. One of the most common entry ways into your home is through the garage. In any case, there are a number of ways you can add extra security to your garage door. Perhaps you're wondering if any is needed since you can't manually open a garage door opener system from the outside.

However, thieves can quickly slide a hanger wire over the top of the door, hook the emergency release lever, and yank it. This releases the door from the opener system just like pulling the release cord does. A quick fix is connecting the release lever with the trolley using a plastic zip tie. But do you really want to trust the security of your home to a plastic zip tie? This solution is well known, and many thieves have likely devised methods of defeating it. You should certainly use this method when you're around your home, but you might want to consider more secure methods for when you're away for an extended time. Here are some methods recommended by an Estero FL locksmith.

The T-Handle Locking System

The T-handle lock has a T-shaped handle on the outside of the garage door with a key operated lock. Unlocking it with the key allows you to twist the handle. The twisting action pulls on a cable system on the inside of the door. The cables then pull two bolts free from the vertical track and the garage door is now free to open. This is not the most secure lock because many models have easily picked locks. In addition, skilled thieves can insert a hanger wire under the door, hook the internal cable, and pull on it.

The Slide Lock

The slide lock is a simple latch that slides through a metal box attached to the door's inside surface. By sliding the latch into a pre-cut hole in the vertical track, the door is locked. You can secure the system by placing a padlock through a hole at the end of the latch. This prevents it from sliding back. The complete system is inside the door, and no amount of hanger wire tricks will defeat it, especially when it's padlocked.

A Word of Caution

You shouldn't use the T-handle lock, slide lock, or any other separate manual locking system when your garage door opener system is powered up and connected to your garage door. It's almost inevitable that at some point, you, a family member, or a visitor will try to use the garage door opener while the door is manually locked. This will damage your door and the opener system. It only takes a moment's distraction or forgetfulness for this to happen.

Instead, only engage the manual system when you're about to leave on a long trip. Disconnect the power from the garage door opener to prevent you from accidentally using the door opener system when you return. After unlocking the manual lock, you can then reconnect the power to the garage door opener.

Making sure your garage  is secure is an important part of your overall home security. With that being said, there are other ways to get into your home. It is important to make sure that your entire home is secure and that you feel protected against intruders. To make sure your house is safe, or if you have any questions about security, you should contact an expert in security systems in Yonkers NY.