There has been a lot of hype in the national media about garage door break-ins. It’s even gone to the extreme of several companies and sources coming out with products and do-it-yourself methods to prevent this type of occurrence from happening to you.
There is a 48-second YouTube video that shows viewers how to break into a garage door in six seconds. After pushing in the top garage door section, the burglar manages to thread a wire coat hanger through the opening and then hooks and pulls the latch on the emergency release cord. This video was actually originally posted in 2008 but has been increasing in popularity this year. A number of TV stations and other sources of media have covered this story and referred to the YouTube video, which also has attributed to the surge in views.
The do-it-yourself method that has been shared with homeowners to prevent a break in from happening includes attaching a zip tie to prevent access to the emergency release cord. Some media sources have even instructed homeowners to remove the emergency release handle altogether.
Please keep in mind that the emergency release handle is required by federal law and the zip-tie method is strongly discouraged. Since a zip-tie obstructs and limits the emergency handle’s use, attaching the zip tie creates an unsafe and potentially hazardous condition. A garage door is heavy and tends to be the largest moving object in a person’s home. Tampering with its ability to function the way it is designed can be a very dangerous risk.
The Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and federal law require that the emergency release must detach the garage door operator using a maximum of 50 pounds of force. Breaking a typical zip tie generally requires more force than that, as one test required 75 pounds of pressure.
Other factors are not in favor of the zip tie method. Some come in varying thickness and some designs may even require more pressure. More importantly, attaching a zip tie may void the warranty of your garage door operator.
The UL is aware of the garage door break-in YouTube video and the news stories that have been circulating which promote the zip-tie method. They are working with the Door Access Systems Manufacturing Association (DASMA) and plan to release a statement that adequately warns the public of these issues.
Here are some statistics to keep in mind before becoming concerned about a garage door break-in:
- The DASMA is unaware of a single documented break-in that actually used this wire coat hanger method.
- The break-in video presumes that the burglar is daring enough to attempt the break-in from the center of your garage door. For most homeowners, your garage door is in prominent view of the front of your house and is facing your street and neighbors.
- Not all garage doors have windows. If the garage door in the video didn’t have windows, the break-in couldn’t have occurred.
- The video also assumes that the garage door is a double-stall garage door. A one-stall garage door is not likely to flex enough to allow entry via a wire hanger. If you have a double stall garage door, not to worry. Many two-stall garage doors with a strut on the top section are also not easily flexed.
The Door People at Overhead Door Company know that garage door break-ins can and do happen. However, we want our readers to be informed with helpful information. So instead of worrying if a garage door break-in is going to happen to you, we’d like to share a few tips that you can consider to be proactive to keep such an event from occurring:
- Choose obscure or frosted glass for your garage door windows. Windows in a garage door can add unique design and allow natural light into your garage. If you’re concerned about people looking into your garage, consider putting the windows in a garage door section that is above most human’s eye level if possible. We want to be the first to tell you that you don’t have to skip the windows altogether.
- Add a motion-sensing exterior light outside of your garage. Burglars are less likely to operate in plain view in a well-lit area.
- If you have an attached garage, lock the door between your house and the garage. If someone does get into your garage, he/she will not readily have access to your house.
- If you park your car outside of your garage, keep it locked to prevent access to your garage door remote. Better yet, keep the garage door remote out of plain sight or keep it with you at all times.
- To prevent car theft, never leave your car keys in the car or the garage, even when the car is inside the garage.
- Overhead Door Company sells garage door accessories such as wireless keypads and The DoorReport remote (which tells you if you remembered to shut your garage door after you left your house) to name a couple, that can enhance your home’s overall security, while increasing the convenience for you and your family.
Stop into your nearest location to explore garage door accessory options to improve your garage door security today!
