SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO’S APRIL SAFETY & SECURITY TIP: GARAGE DOOR SECURITY

Drive down any South Florida street and you will likely find a number of open garage doors.

Reports of garage door openers being stolen from unlocked vehicles in the driveway have become more common, as well.

In addition to allowing access to any and all property left inside of the garage, these practices now turn your interior garage door into an exterior door. In most cases, interior garage doors are left unlocked to allow easy entrance into the residence.

That being said, an unlocked vehicle containing a garage door opener equates to leaving your front door open and accessible.

The internal garage door should meet exterior standards in regard to thickness, locking mechanism and framing.

These doors should be of solid-core construction and at least 1 ¾ inches in thickness. Choose a strong and secure deadbolt lock for this entranceway. Consider a “Grade 1” single-cylinder lock, a strong deadbolt strike plate and 2 ½ inch screws on all hinges.

The best preventative measures begin with a closed garage door and locked vehicles!