Garages typically have far less security than entrances to the rest of the house. Handles on garages offer little resistance to an would be thief. This is particularly concerning if your garage houses your car, as well as tools and other items. A thief could also use your garage as an entry point into the house.
Weak points in other doors
Older models of garage doors are infamously easy to break into. Bending the door out of shape provides access to the interior of the door and allows a thief to take the catches.
Some after market, internal catches are inexpensive and fairly easy to install. A floor mounted lock also helps to secure the door. A motorized opener allows the door to fully close which mitigates the risks associated with a manual release. Making the manual release secured and locked remedies the issues associated with an exposed release cord.
You’ll want to check the door you use.
First you need to lock the door, go outside and check the bottom corners to see if they flex. Pull on the door handle to see if the door rattles. If either of those are present you need to check the top of the door. You want to see if the top of the door is sealed and if there is daylight. If there is daylight, there is a chance there is a release cord. If any of those are present you should address those first.
You have a few options if the door is sealed poorly. You can add more bolts to the door or add a better lock. Replacing the door is more expensive.
All side doors and windows are a convenience but an entry way. The side door should have a good lock. The windows should not have a clear view into the garage. This is especially important if the garage and garage doors are detached from the house.
Making a few simple changes can help deter potential burglars from targeting your home. For a low cost improvement, you can get a motion sensor light that turns on when someone approaches your garage. These lights illuminate potential hiding spots and can help you identify and discourage neighboring house-burglar activity. Another improvement would be to install a security camera to watch over your driveway. These can be relatively inexpensive and can also be set up to alert you when their motion sensors are triggered.
Another improvement would be replacing your garage door. You should look for doors that have undergone testing by a third party security group. LPS 1175 tests doors for resistance against burglars that are armed with a variety of tools. Other security groups like Secured by Design have testing and approval processes similar to LPS 1175.When you’re considering a purchase of a door that has been tested, check that the testing is for the same exact door and lock that you are purchasing. Once you have the door tested door installed, be sure to use it. Close and lock your door, even when you are at home.