Safety and Security Tips for the Holiday Season

This time of year, more break-ins are reported, and your garage door is one of the top five ways the bad guys gain access to your home. It’s also the time of year when we may store gifts in our garage.

Safety and Security Tips for your Garage During the Holidays

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Install motion sensor lights.

Motion sensor lights can scare away intruders and catch your eye when they turn on.

Inspect your garage door.

Regularly inspect your garage door’s safety features, like the auto-reverse function, and make any necessary repairs.

Secure Your Garage Door Opener

Consider changing the location of your opener. Start taking it in and out with your keys. Maybe you can attach it to your key chain. If you keep it in the car, anyone who breaks into your garage can access it. If you must keep it in your car, put it in the glove box and out of sight.

Keep Your Garage Door Shut

This may sound redundant advice, but it’s normal for people to leave their garage doors open for long periods while at home. Although you might be okay leaving them open while working on a project, you never know who might notice the expensive tools and equipment you keep in the garage.

For extra security, keep the door shut if you’re going to be in the backyard, upstairs, or taking a nap. Also, always double-check that your garage door is shut at night before you go to bed.

Have Your Garage Doors Serviced Regularly

It’s easy for burglars to enter your garage if your bolts and hinges are worn and rusty. Whether you’re trying to keep intruders from entering your home or wanting to secure the contents of your garage, having your garage doors inspected and serviced regularly is a good practice, both in terms of function and security.

Install a “Smart” Security System on Your Home and Garage

Installing a security system, you can control from your smartphone is one of the best ways to ensure security from thieves and other bad actors who may try to breach your garage. Keep tabs on the garage door through your smartphone and get an alert at the sign of any trouble.

​Integrated OHD Anywhere®

• Wi-Fi and smartphone control capabilities

​CodeDodger® access security system

• The latest in CodeDodger® technology selects a code from billions of combinations each time a remote or wireless keypad is used. It helps prevent radio signal piracy for the utmost security.

Upgrade your garage door opener

An outdated garage door opener can make your garage more vulnerable to break-ins.

Garage Door Opener App

• With our garage door opener app, OHD Anywhere®, you can control and monitor your garage door from anywhere with your Apple®​ iPhone or Android phone or device.

Holiday Garage Door Safety and Security Tips

Passport or ID, check, presents, money and Phone chargers, check, check, and check. I double-checked the locked doors, closed the windows, set the thermostat, and ensured all appliances were off.

Wow, there are many things to remember when getting ready for holiday travel, including ensuring your home is safe and secure while you are away. Here are a few tips to keep your home safe while on vacation.

Garage Storage

Think twice before storing items in your garage for the winter. Flammable liquids like gasoline, propane, and paints can be dangerous if improperly stored. It’s important to keep flammable liquids in small amounts to avoid garage fires.

Extension Cords

Prevent fires and decrease the risk of an electrical shock with the proper use of extension cords. Never use an older or frayed extension cord.

Make sure to keep a fire extinguisher in your garage, and routinely change the batteries in the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your garage and home.

Battery Backup

Taking precautions in case of power outages or other unplanned events can also aid home and garage safety. The Overhead Door™ brand offers a Battery backup accessory that provides added security and peace of mind in case of a power outage.

Whether traveling for a few days or a month, taking extra steps to keep your home safe while you are away is essential. Create a vacation home checklist and make sure you stop the mail if you are gone more than a week. Remove a spare key from outside your home, or ask a trusted friend or neighbor to keep an eye on your home to prevent break-ins and retrieve your mail.