Why the garage gets overlooked
The garage is a large opening that is often treated as a storage room. It can hold tools, ladders and bicycles, and when it is attached, it usually leads straight into the house. People who lock the front door every night may leave the garage door open for hours, or leave the door between garage and kitchen unlocked, because it feels like part of the inside.
No habit can make a home immune to burglary, and outcomes depend on many factors. But a few routine changes close the most common gaps for very little effort.
Remotes and keypads
A garage door remote is effectively a key. A few points worth considering:
- Do not leave the remote in a parked car. Cars parked on a driveway or street are sometimes entered because they are easy to open, and a remote on the visor gives access to the garage and often to the house.
- Know where every remote is. If one is lost or you have just moved into a home, consider clearing the opener’s memory and reprogramming, following the opener manufacturer’s instructions.
- Check for rolling-code technology. Most modern openers change the code with each use, which makes copying a signal much harder. Very old openers using fixed codes or simple switches are worth replacing when you can. Replacement involves wiring, springs and safety features, so many people prefer a professional installer.
- Keypads and codes. An exterior keypad is convenient for family members, but pick a code that is not a birthdate or address, and change it if it has been shared widely. This is the same logic used for a gate keypad or other household access codes: a code you cannot easily revoke from a person is a weak point.
- Phone apps. Some openers can be controlled by phone or report when the door is open. These are handy for confirming that the door is closed, but protect the account with a strong password, the same way you would for camera account security.
The emergency release cord
Most garage openers have a red cord with a handle that disconnects the door from the motor, so the door can be lifted by hand during a power failure. This is a safety feature and should not be removed. It can, however, become a weakness if someone can reach it from outside.
On some doors there is a small gap near the top where a thin tool might be pushed to snag the cord. If the cord hangs close to that gap, shortening it, or using a manufacturer-recommended shield or cover, may reduce the risk. The cord should still be reachable from inside by an adult, and the door must remain easy to release in an emergency. If you are not sure how your opener works, check the manual or ask a qualified installer.
Be careful about lifting or releasing a heavy garage door. The springs are under high tension and are dangerous to adjust yourself. Repairs to springs and cables are generally a professional job.
Vacation or lock-mode settings
Many openers have a vacation or lock mode that disables the wall button and remotes. It is a simple choice for extended trips. A manual lock on the door, if one is fitted, can offer similar protection. Remember to switch the mode back before expecting to leave by the garage, and never rely on it if someone in the home needs to get out in an emergency.
Windows and side doors
Many garage doors have small windows in the top panels that let a person see inside, whether it is a car, tools or an unlocked door. Frosted film or a different panel style can limit that view. Likewise, a detached garage or side service door deserves the same attention as a house door: a sturdy frame, a deadbolt and a strike plate with long screws.
The door between the garage and the house
This is the part most people skip. Once someone is in the garage, the interior door becomes the actual barrier. It should be treated as an exterior door:
- Keep it locked, with a deadbolt where possible.
- Make sure it is solid rather than hollow, and that its frame and strike plate are reinforced.
- Avoid leaving a key in a nearby drawer or on a hook beside the door.
Local fire codes sometimes call for a fire-rated or self-closing door between garage and house, so check before replacing it.
Sensors and lighting
A contact sensor on the garage door or the interior door can alert you through a home alarm system when the door opens. A motion light in front of the garage and at the side entrance adds visibility. Both are supplements, not substitutes for closing the door.
A simple routine
- Close the garage door every time, even for short errands, if it is practical.
- Take remotes with you or store them out of sight inside the house.
- Lock the interior door at night and when away.
- Check the release cord position once a year.
- Test the opener’s auto-reverse safety feature on schedule, according to the manual.
Doing these things regularly costs almost nothing and removes one of the easiest ways into a house.