Imagine coming home after a long day of work to find the door between your house and garage ajar. As you walk inside, you see a mess of broken dishes in the kitchen and your television missing from the wall. Your master bedroom is torn apart and your grandmother’s ring is gone. Yes, you’ve been a victim of a home burglary.

Unfortunately, you’re not alone. According to the FBI, a U.S. home is burglarized once every 15 seconds.

Home Burglaries Are Quick and Quiet

“Most thieves who burglarize homes are looking for an easy target—a house they can break into quickly and easily,” explains Officer Aaron Machtemes of the Eagan, Minnesota, Police Department. “They want to get in, find valuables, and get out without being detected.”

Finding an unlocked door during the day when people are at work is a criminal’s dream entry. But a close second is a weak garage door. Old, weakened doors are easy for burglars to kick in and gain access to a home. Therefore, take time to look closely at all of your doors, evaluating their strength and current condition. It may be time to replace a flimsy door with a newer, stronger door that can withstand some force.

We’ve compiled a list of practical DOs and DON’Ts that will help protect your family and can dramatically reduce your burglary risks:

DON’T skimp on garage door security

As a homeowner, you’re often making decisions about what to spend money on in relation to your home. Since the garage is an area people often consider last, it tends to be a place they skimp on quality. Yet your garage door is one of the first lines of defense for your home—and not one to be taken lightly.

DO use up-to-date remote technology

When you’re considering a new door and opener, make sure that the system you buy uses a rolling code opener. When you install a cheap garage door and garage door opener, you’re making yourself a desirable target for an easy break-and-enter.

DON’T leave your garage door remote in your vehicle

All a thief has to do is break into your car and steal the remote for a quick, quiet and easy way into your home.

DO invest in a keychain remote opener

Stop using that remote you clip to your visor and get a keychain remote opener that you can leave on your keys. This will reduce the temptation for a car break-in as well.

DON’T leave your garage door open

No matter how safe you think your neighborhood is, nice neighborhoods are the first place criminals case houses. Don’t do thieves any favors by enabling them to see when your vehicles are gone.

DO use common sense

The average burglar will spend less than five minutes trying to break into a home. Keep your property safe by making your home difficult to enter. Always lock your doors and windows when you go out.

DO keep up with maintenance

Follow manufacturers guidelines on routine maintenance of mechanical and structural components of your garage door system. Our trained technicians can help you maintain your doors and repair any problems you may encounter. For your convenience, we offer same-day service all over the Twin Cities metro area.

A quality, secure, well-maintained garage door system is a critical line of defense for your home. At Overhead Door of the Northland, we are your partners in home security. Call us today at 651.683.0307 to learn more about how you can protect your family and your peace of mind.