Home security is essential for feelings of safety and protection. We lock our doors and windows and consider outdoor lights and home security devices. We take it a step further by locking our vehicles and ensuring garage door openers are out of sight.
But how many of us consider securing our garage door? Leaving our garage door as-is leaves us more exposed than we realize, making our homes more suspectable to burglary.
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It is easy for a burglar to break into a standard garage in less than a minute using basic supplies such a wedge, pocketknife, and hanger. JJ Johnson from Reality Survival demonstrates how a thief can open a garage door within a minute after only his second attempt.
To see how he simulates a break-in, and to learn how you can prevent someone’s ability to gain entry through your garage, check out his video and his prevention tips.
1. Secure the garage pulley latch.
- Remove the tag.
- Remove the cord or trim it out of reach to someone on the outside.
- Zip tie the lever in place. You can also wire this in place. You may want to consider using material you can remove easily.
2. Secure the visual at the top of the door which will help prevent a robber from seeing the string pulley.
- Strategically add some boards to prevent visibility and accessibility. This option allows you to still use your garage door opener.
3. Lock your garage door.
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- If your door has a built-in deadbolt, utilize that when you do not need the garage to be able to open.
- If you do not have a built-in deadbolt, you can bolt the door. This method should only be used for a garage door that you are ok with not opening.
Additional options include a box covering or an e-lock interface system that connects to the garage door. Both items are linked to below the video on Youtube, though these DIY methods will save you money.
As a prepper, you want to protect your stockpiles and supplies to take care of your family. In cases of economic struggle or collapse, there will likely be an increase in cases of looting and home invasion. Prevention is the best way to protect yourself, your equipment/stockpiles, and most importantly your loved ones.
If these steps were confusing, be sure to see JJ’s video below as he demonstrates each method in a foolproof way.
I have my own garage door business. Pad locks are good but you can also use vice-grips right above the rollers on one side of door or both. Just remember to remove them if you run the opener that lifts the door or you’ll have a mess.
You can drill a hole in the track right above a door wheel roller and secure the door with a padlock too. For my door (single car), the latch is only on one side (double doors are usually two sided latched), so the hole and padlock are placed on the opposite side at the top of the door (out of reach for a burglar).
If you’re leaving for an extended period of time, I suggest a padlock through the track to prevent the door from rolling up. Exercise caution when coming back to not try and open the door when you return without removing first.
spot on and easy to do