Garage doors for businesses (and for homes as well) are historically a weaker point when it comes to security. The tips for home and business garage door safety are similar, but they differ in ways that affect convenience. Businesses must only be concerned with convenience during working hours, but homeowners need their door to work in the evenings, on weekends, and even late at night.
We’d like to present some tips for being more secure with your garage door. Some of these are less convenient for homeowners (padlocking the door at night or when away), but they’re all applicable.
We won’t touch upon how to defend against the old “coat hanger fishing for the release lever” issue, so please look that up separately or call us for advice on how to protect against that. But here are some other tips for your commercial garage door that can easily be considered, modified, and followed by the mindful homeowner as well.
Security camera systems
Security camera systems are simple to set up, and many connect over the internet and send alerts to your phone. Some are even combined with outdoor motion lighting.
As a business owner (or homeowner) you can see what’s going on, deter folks from even testing your door, and with many features out there, possibly turn on lights or a speaker to talk to those creeping near your facility. Burglars of all kinds won’t want anything to do with that.
Increase the quality of lighting around your garage door
Here’s another one that doesn’t have anything to do with garage door technology, just good old-fashioned visibility. Well-lit areas are always more secure at night. If you’ve got cameras, a burglar is really putting themselves at risk of being identified. It’s recommended that you position lights around the perimeter of your facility, but especially directly over entryways and garage doors.
Upgrade to a rolling-code garage door opener
To explain further, garage door openers used to use the same transmitted code for all doors across the brand, which was not very secure for each individual. Then they made the security better by allowing you to set a custom code. Burglars then created code-grabber technology that can read the signal you put out when you use your garage door opener remote and imitate it.
“Rolling-code technology” squashes that problem: the opener uses a different signal each time you open the door. If you have an older opener, it’s possible that you’re dealing with old technology, and maybe you should give Specialty Door a call for an upgraded garage door opener for your safety.
Never leave garage door remotes in your car
Invest in a garage door opener remote that attaches to your keychain. This is the same for home or business. It sure is convenient to “hit the button” as you roll up to the door in your vehicle, but if you leave the remotes in your car outside, it’s a free entry to your home or business.
Instead, step up and get ones that go on your keychain. This gives you all the same convenience, but makes you more secure, since you likely keep your keys with you or inside the home or facility where they are safe.
Schedule your regular door inspections
Here’s where we can definitely help you. You need your door inspected for safety and wear regularly anyhow. Security is another reason to get your door looked at by a pro every so often.
Commercial doors get more daily use than residential garage doors, and that use can cause wear. Small bumps and dents can also cause gaps that are scary for safety and security reasons. Let’s keep your garage door a strong part of the security system. Remember: a broken door means no security for your home or business.
Padlock the door
It’s not the most convenient option for safety, but for businesses during the hours you are closed, and for homeowners that will be away from home a while, you may want to simply use a padlock. Some home garage doors also have a slide metal lock. Unplug the opener first so it cannot pull against the lock. Either way, these low-tech options make sure that no tricks can be pulled on your automatic openers. If the lock is on the inside, it makes tampering with the lock itself virtually impossible.
Security is a mindset
Security is a mindset and a constant discipline for a homeowner or business owner. Make sure to listen to these tips and make solid decisions about balancing the convenience of your garage doors and door openers.
We don’t install cameras or lighting, but we are ready to help with your door, openers and keypads. If you live in the King or Snohomish County areas, call on us any time.
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