There were just over 2 million burglaries that occurred in 2012 with approximately 66 percent of those happening in homes. It is estimated that the most regularly used entry point is through the front door or through the garage. While most people will pay attention to locking up the front door, the garage continues to be an overlooked entry point. 

So to help protect yourself and your family, consider these ways to make your garage door less vulnerable to invasion.

Keeping it closed

A garage door that is unlocked especially during the day is almost an open invitation to burglars. Added to that is the fact that many people do not lock the door leading from the garage to the inside of the house. Your garage door should be kept closed and locked with a deadbolt or a padlock. This can cost anywhere from $15 to $50 depending on the quality and style of the locks. 

To increase the security feature, you should get a garage door opener that has a "rolling code." So if your garage door opener is more than 15 years old; you may need to get this adjusted. With older openers, a burglar can stay in wait and then capture your code when you use your remote. He or she can then use the code at a later time to open the garage door. A more up-to-date opener can cost around $210 if you do-it-yourself or about $421 for professional installation.

Keep your moving parts working

The efficiency with which your garage door opens and closes can mean the difference between being stuck outside your own garage rather than inside in safety. Regular maintenance can usually keep it operating properly for years. However, you need to bear in mind that the springs have a limit of the cycle rates with the minimum being 10,000 and the highest 100,000 and you need to pay attention to the signs that indicate the parts may need to be repaired or replaced. 

It is important to do regular maintenance of the moving parts as neglect of this is one of the most common reasons why springs and other moving parts of the garage stop moving. Maintenance includes oiling the moving parts at least once every six months. Contact a professional from a business like Door Doctor Inc if you hear strange noises, if you have to press your remote more than once to open the garage door or if your door only raises or lowers part way. If the springs should break, it can cost between $150 and $250 to replace with additional charges for resultant issues, such as a warped tracks.