4 Easy Ways to Secure Your Garage for Vacation

Protecting your home from intruders is a crucial step in preparing for some time away. Here are four easy steps you can take to secure your garage before you leave for vacation and give your family some peace of mind during your R&R.

• Secure your remote opener

A good place to start with security is on the inside.  Most homeowners don’t think about securing their garage door opener, but it is a great idea to protect your home while on vacation!  Many garage door openers have a “vacation mode” setting, which disables garage door remotes and prevents the garage door from being opened from the outside.  If your garage door opener does not have a “vacation mode” setting, an alternative is to unplug it.  Consult your owner’s manual first.

• Lock your garage door

Does your garage door have a lock? If so, fastening it while on vacation is another way to add security to your garage. Locks are not necessary if your garage door is operated by an electric opener. If your opener is older, check to see if your door can be opened from the outside. If so, installing a lock could be a good idea for extra home security and more peace of mind.

• Install motion lights around your garage

Motion lights are a great way to discourage intruders. Motion lights detect moving objects within a certain range and illuminate for a period of time when an object is detected. The lights protect both your home and your neighborhood, as burglars and other intruders are less likely to approach a home with motion lights or a well-lit neighborhood.

• Invest in a smart garage door opener

Many homeowners are investing in items for “smart homes.”  A smart garage door opener is just another tool to help secure an additional entrance to your home.  For example, the Amarr 860 Wi-Fi garage door opener allows you to control and monitor your garage door and lights from your phone, from anywhere.  You can view activity history and see instances in which your garage door has been opened or the light has turned on, letting you in on what’s going on at your house.  You can also allow others access to your garage – these users, such as dog walkers or babysitters, can even be set to access your garage at certain times only.  A smart garage door opener gives you the most control over your garage and helps keep your home safe!  Click here to learn more.