Changing the Code in Your Garage Door Remote

Today, thieves and burglars don't have to jimmy locks or break window in order to gain entrance into your home. All they have to do is come up with your security code to open your remote controlled garage, walk in and help themselves to your stuff. Scary, but not impossible to defend against, if you take a few simple steps.

Make sure that your garage door remote comes equipped to change security codes automatically, every time you use it. This is called a rolling access code. If you keep using the same code over and over again,  the bad guys looking to break into your home, have ways of capturing the code for later use. They can do this from the secrecy of their car while driving down the street. After gathering unsecured codes, they can come back when they're ready and relieve you of your property by entering through your garage, when you're not home. Ask the guy who sold you the garage door to provide you with the changing security code remote, as they don't usually come as standard equipment.

Another thing that you should never do is to leave your garage door remote inside your vehicle. If the car is stolen, then chances are that the thieves will pay your house a call sometime down the road.  If you plan to be away for a long vacation, you will want to unplug your garage door opener. In fact, many newer model doors have security switches to simply turn off the remote access feature. And, make sure that your wall control panel is mounted at least five feet off the ground and out of reach of smaller kids. This will keep them from opening the door while playing and  leaving it up unattended.

The important thing is to not take your garage door or the garage door remote for granted. These are welcome luxuries in our hectic lifestyles, however they can quickly become harmful. So have your garage door checked regularly and see that your remote functions properly and can't be used against you and your family. The best way to do this is to call in an expert maintenance man because these doors can prove tricky to maintain for the inexperienced do it your-selfer.