We are all concerned about our home’s security to some extent, whether it’s because of the neighborhood we live in, how rural or urban our address is, or just our general personal preferences. And when we think about home security, we often think of things like making sure our doors and windows lock properly, maybe adding cameras to our home’s entries, or installing an alarm system if any of those locked windows and doors are compromised by an intruder. Many of us don’t consider our garage doors as part of that risk, but often garage doors are a weak spot that an intruder can easily take advantage of to get into your home. Here are some things you can do to shore up your security:

• Keep your emergency release locked at all times (except in case of emergency, of course!).
• When on vacation, unplug the automatic door opener. 
• If your garage door is dented or damaged, consider replacement. They’re extra openings for critters and intruders to get into your home and they’ll take any advantage they can get.
• Be careful where you keep your door remote- don’t leave it in your car. It’s not uncommon for cars to be broken into at airports and garage door openers to be taken. It’s likely worth more to get into your home than it is to steal a CD or two you left behind.
• Don’t leave your garage door open. Leaving your garage door open in the summer months will also undo any benefits of its insulation. 
• Lock the interior door that leads from your garage to inside your house.
• Routinely check your garage door for problems that require repair.
• Don’t let problems fester. When your garage door starts making a sound or isn’t working consistently, talk to a professional immediately. Overhead doors should be repaired as soon as possible.
• If you don’t have a smart access system that’s based on phone or an alternative remote connection, they can be more secure. You can also connect a camera system to it and keep a constant eye on your home. If your garage door suffers an impact or is forced open you’ll be alerted immediately and can call the authorities (and then a garage door repair team in that order).
• Last but not least: a property/driveway gate will always your best first line of protection. Do everything you can with your garage door but there are always going to be limits to what you can do.