The holiday season is a favorite time for thieves looking to cash in on big ticket items. The reasons are obvious: Holiday gifts, many of significant value, will be accessible in some potentially easy-to-access spaces. Meanwhile, many homeowners spend a significant amount of time visiting others, leaving a larger number of homes empty on various days throughout the season.
If you are out of town for a few days, thieves have plenty of time to help themselves to your valuables, including family heirlooms and electronics. Deadbolts and alarm systems are excellent choices to deter would-be thieves, but your attached garage remains one of the most vulnerable entrances to your home. Worn garage doors and older model door opening systems leave you at even greater risk.
Are you prepared for the upcoming holiday season? Refer to this checklist to reduce your risk of becoming a victim of burglary this holiday season.
- Never leave the entry door to your home from the garage unlocked. For many families, this may be a convenience, but if someone gets into your garage, your home is not secured.
- Have your garage door inspected by a professional. Your garage door expert can ensure that your garage door and opening system are in good working order and advise you as to your need to upgrade.
- Do your own garage door maintenance. Cleaning the tracks and lubricating moving parts will keep your system running efficiently and alert you to potential problems that could become a security issue.
- If your home has older doors, consider upgrading your garage door and the entry door to your home to more secure models.
- If your older garage door remotes operate with dip switches, consider upgrading to a more secure system that uses rolling code technology. With as many as one million combinations, rolling code remotes are far more hack proof than older models. For those maintaining a dip switch system, you can beef up security by reprogramming your remotes. Simply locate the dip switches on the back of the motor, switch their positions, then ensure the dip switches on your remotes are in exactly the same new positions.
- Speaking of your remote, don’t leave it in your car, especially if it is parked in your driveway. Even if the car is locked, a thief can break into your car and then have access to your house. Instead carry it in a purse or attach it to your keychain.
- Use the lock function on your garage door, especially if you will be out of town. If you aren’t sure yours has this feature, or you don’t know how to use it, contact your garage door professional to learn more about it.
Learn more about the security benefits of modern garage doors and door opening systems by contacting the team at Above & Beyond Door Systems. Protect your home and your family this holiday season by upgrading your door system or by having your existing door and door opener serviced. Call today for an appointment.