Garage Door Opener

[Fern Modena]

There has been a spate of burglaries in the valley this summer, many of them in the middle of the night from people's garages.

How does this happen? Seems most of the people have autos parked in their driveways, which may indicate that they have a lot of stuff in the garage. Or not. But what they *do* have in these autos is a garage opener. And if it is on the visor it can be seen from outside. So break into the car and you have a way into the garage. And maybe even the house, if the door from the garage to the house isn't locked.

But these guys weren't hot prowlers, so they only did garages. Something like a hundred (and counting) this summer.

Moral of the story? Don't keep your garage door opener in your car if you park it on the driveway.

Fern

 

[csxjohn]

Funny you should mention this, I always bring in the opener when I'm forced to leave the car out for the very reason you talk about.

I think you give some good advice here.

 

[bogey21]

My solution was different. For 15 years or so I never closed my garage doors. I figured that way anyone who looked could see that there was nothing of value in the garage. The door between the garage and the house was reinforced and had a big sticker prominently displayed on the door to make sure anyone who might be interested would believe the door (and the house) was alarmed. Never had a problem.

George

PS I never actually had an alarm, just stickers and signs saying there was one.

 

[vacationhopeful]

They could have a scanner/resender sending out garage door codes electronically ... just slowly ride down the street and see what pops open?

I would suspect the major manufacturers of garage door openers are limited plus the age of your (newer?) development would give a fixed window time (within less than 2 years) for the age of the garage door openers.

Did the builder include a garage door opening (or an option for an installed garage door opener) ... that would really that the coding question down to idiot level verses being just good luck.

 

[taterhed]

I have two wonderfully furry companions (3 really). One Rottie at 120 pounds and 1 Cane Corso at 115 pounds.

Funny, nobody has ever dared to intrude.

Love my puppies.

 

[Sandi Bo]

Great advice. I had a friend who's car was broken into while they were at the movies. Thieves took the garage door opener and address and went to the house. Surprised the babysitter (and themselves) - thankfully no one was hurt.

A new twist to your advice, is the newer cars with built in openers. Leave your car unlocked and you've also provided access to your garage.

 

[ace2000]

Great advice. I had a friend who's car was broken into while they were at the movies. Thieves took the garage door opener and address and went to the house.

Wonder how they got the address? Was a purse or wallet left in the car?

 

[Passepartout]

Wonder how they got the address? Was a purse or wallet left in the car?

Car registration.

 

[Phydeaux]

A savvy thief doesn't need your remote to break into your garage. Just a simple coat hanger, and 6 seconds.

http://lifehacker.com/5549366/how-to-unlock-your-garage-door-from-the-outside-and-how-to-prevent-it

Now, go out to your garage and fix it so they can't

 

[Elan]

A savvy thief doesn't need your remote to break into your garage. Just a simple coat hanger, and 6 seconds.

http://lifehacker.com/5549366/how-to-unlock-your-garage-door-from-the-outside-and-how-to-prevent-it

Now, go out to your garage and fix it so they can't

Perhaps 6 seconds if you have a glass panel to peer through while you try to find the release with the hanger.

From what I've read, the garage man door is far more often the point of entry for break-ins.

 

[Ken555]

A savvy thief doesn't need your remote to break into your garage. Just a simple coat hanger, and 6 seconds.

http://lifehacker.com/5549366/how-to-unlock-your-garage-door-from-the-outside-and-how-to-prevent-it

Now, go out to your garage and fix it so they can't

Wow! That's crazy.


Sent from my iPad

 

[Phydeaux]

Perhaps 6 seconds if you have a glass panel to peer through while you try to find the release with the hanger.

From what I've read, the garage man door is far more often the point of entry for break-ins.

Perhaps. Then again, a savvy thief knows the approximate location of the release, since they're all in generally the same spot. And, the word is out: http://www.9news.com/story/news/loc...-using-new-trick-to-break-into-homes/6548827/

 

[silentg]

We have a safety button that is on every night, cannot access it from outside. Cars are parked in the garage. Never had a problem!

 

[Luanne]

I have two wonderfully furry companions (3 really). One Rottie at 120 pounds and 1 Cane Corso at 115 pounds.

Funny, nobody has ever dared to intrude.

Love my puppies.

That's what my sister thought.

Their garage was broken into when my brother in law left his truck outside with the garage door opener in it. Thief broke into the truck, opened the garage door, and got it. Their big, [protection] dogs, who usually go nuts when anyone comes to the front door, did nothing. My sister said they were used to their son coming in late through the garage door and probably thought it was him. As she said "Big help they were".

 

[Talent312]

My Golden is worthless as a watch dog. She loves all people.
When a stranger comes, she runs up to 'em and nuzzles 'em.

Our garage is detached, across a walkway from the house.
The side-door is unlocked. Anyone can take whatever they want.
It'll save me the hassle of tossing it, one day.
.


.

 

[geekette]

My Golden is worthless as a watch dog. She loves all people.
When a stranger comes, she runs up to 'em and nuzzles 'em.

Our garage is detached, across a walkway from the house.
The side-door is unlocked. Anyone can take whatever they want.
It'll save me the hassle of tossing it, one day.

Mine also detached, nothing I would miss dearly in it, and would be thrilled if someone would go through it for me. My car is also in there but insured therefore replaceable.

The garage door opener thing is a very old gig, even back in the 70s, we kept door openers under the seat.

I do keep a key to the house hidden, but not in any normal place. Get creative with your magnetic hide-a-key and don't talk about it unless you need to grant someone access to your home in your unexpected absence. That's why I am not sharing my goofball hiding spots online ; )

 

[vacationhopeful]

In my handiman's truck. I would miss him MORE than the stuff in my house ... I can replace the stuff via my insurance; ever tried getting a REALLY good handiman ?

 

[Fern Modena]

I don't ever use a key to unlock my house. Either I park in the garage and come in that way, or I come in through the front door. If I come in through the front door, I have a combination front door lock. I could use a key instead, but I do not. If you live alone, it is a good idea. If you press your "Help, I've fallen and I can't get up" button, the first responders won't have to wait for your contact to arrive with a key (that is if you give the button people the combination). Every little bit of time helps in an emergency.

Fern

I do keep a key to the house hidden, but not in any normal place. Get creative with your magnetic hide-a-key and don't talk about it unless you need to grant someone access to your home in your unexpected absence. That's why I am not sharing my goofball hiding spots online ; )

 

[Phydeaux]

I don't ever use a key to unlock my house. Either I park in the garage and come in that way, or I come in through the front door. If I come in through the front door, I have a combination front door lock. I could use a key instead, but I do not. If you live alone, it is a good idea. If you press your "Help, I've fallen and I can't get up" button, the first responders won't have to wait for your contact to arrive with a key (that is if you give the button people the combination). Every little bit of time helps in an emergency.

Fern

Color me confused. How does having an emergency "I've fallen & I can't get up" button enhance speed to allow entry into your home? If you've fallen and can't get up, is this button at ground level, at the exact spot where you're going to fall? Or, is this the type with a lanyard, around your neck, 24/7/365?

 

[rapmarks]

our key is hidden so well, that we show certain house guests were it is, they go for a walk and when they come back they can't find it.


this happened to a friend his convertible was parked outside grocery store, he came back and remote was gone, he went home and had someone out to change garage code immediately

 

[Fern Modena]

Lanyard/push button. I got it after Jerry died. Don't use it anymore, I wear a Tracfone 24/7 since Irene moved into my casita. I charge it when we are both in the house, like at dinner and/or when watching TV.

Fern

Color me confused. How does having an emergency "I've fallen & I can't get up" button enhance speed to allow entry into your home? If you've fallen and can't get up, is this button at ground level, at the exact spot where you're going to fall? Or, is this the type with a lanyard, around your neck, 24/7/365?

 

[geekette]

I don't ever use a key to unlock my house. Either I park in the garage and come in that way, or I come in through the front door. If I come in through the front door, I have a combination front door lock. I could use a key instead, but I do not. If you live alone, it is a good idea. If you press your "Help, I've fallen and I can't get up" button, the first responders won't have to wait for your contact to arrive with a key (that is if you give the button people the combination). Every little bit of time helps in an emergency.

Fern

I live alone, but detached garage kinda requires locked doors on house. Changing any doors to keypad not feasible for me. I would expect first responders to break down doors or windows as I am years from wearing emergency button. It otherwise would not be a long wait for next door neighbor to arrive with key.

 

[Phydeaux]

Not sure how the discussion transitioned from garage break ins to keypad vs. key for the home, but regardless, I guess I don;t see the benefit for elderly or anyone else of the superiority of a keypad to a key. Must be missing something.