Ways to Improve Home Security

Home Security is more important than ever

Every evening when you turn on the nightly news you usually hear about more than one robbery occurring. Some burglaries and robberies cannot be avoided, but there are more that could have been stopped with the right measures already in place.

Here are some way you can improve the security of your home.

Install an Alarm System

Having an alarm system is key to your home’s security. Make sure your alarm system directly connects to that of the local authorities, for fast response.

If a burglar sees that a home has an alarm system, it will often prevents that intruder from even attempting a burglary. Plus, hearing an alarm go off usually sends a burglar running!

Conceal all wiring

When you do install an alarm system, make sure you conceal all your wires.

Secure Windows

Many home intrusions happen via open windows. Before leaving your house, make sure all of your home’s windows are shut and locked.

You can also protect these vulnerable areas with burglar-resistant glass. Installing many small panes of glass instead of one large pain of glass is a good option as well.

Use metal bars

If you have sliding windows you should have a metal bar that is placed along the bottom track of the window. The metal bar will prevent a burglar from forcing the window open.

Make it look like you’re home when you’re not

Expert burglars search neighborhoods looking for homeowners who are away from their home for an extended period of time. Automatic timers are great ways to turn lights on and off while you’re away.

Light up the entrance of your home

It’s very important to utilize your lighting to keep thieves away. Lighting with an infrared detector automatically turns on when someone is in a specific zone or area. No burglar wants to be in easy view while committing a crime!

Secure your doors

To help burglar-proof your home, install 1-inch throw deadbolt locks on all exterior doors.

A door with too much space between the door and the frame is an invitation for the burglar to pry it open. Reinforce the door with a panel of 3/4-inch plywood or a piece of sheet metal.

If there are door hinges on the outside of your house, take down the door and reset the hinges inside. Otherwise all a thief has to do to gain entry to your home is knock out the hinge pin.

Replace Garage Doors

Along the same vein of securing your door, people often forget about their biggest “door” in their home – their garage door!

Is your garage door old? Your garage door’s age may make it an easy target for hacking, creating a perfect entry point for thieves. Or even worse, if the garage door has become jammed and refuses to close, now that is a big invitation for home intruders.

Upgrade your garage door for added security!

Do you need to replace your garage door? Overhead Door Company of the Northland offers quality garage doors, to keep your home free of intrusion.

Garage Door Jammed?

Garage Door Repair in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Has your garage door stopped moving? Or worse, is it noticeably jammed? It’s time to call Overhead Door Company of the North Land for some help! For future reference, here’s a tip to prevent any need for garage door repair.

A Garage Door Maintenance Kit

Just like your car needs maintenance to run smoothly, your garage door is the same! If you take some time and inspect your garage door every so often, you can catch a potential problem before it actually happens and damages your garage door.

And Overhead Door Company of the North Land has maintenance kits for just that!

Visual Inspection

Stand inside the garage with the garage door closed. Look over the garage door springs, cables, rollers, pulleys and mounting hardware, such as hinges, for signs of wear or damage. Look for cable wear or fraying.

If something doesn’t look quite right, or doesn’t sound quite right, it could mean it’s a more serious issue. Have the garage door system inspected by Overhead Door Company.

Door Balance Test

Disconnect the automatic opener, and lift the door manually. It should lift smoothly with little resistance and should remain fully open. If it is difficult to open or does not remain open, the door may be out of balance and should be serviced by a trained service technician (Ahem, Overhead Door Company!).

Reversing mechanism test

With the door fully open, lay a piece of wood on the floor in the center of the garage door opening where the door would touch the floor. Push your garage door opener’s transmitter or wall button to close the door. When the door touches the wood, the door should automatically reverse. If the door does not automatically reverse, you need to call us.

Door Balance Test

Disconnect the automatic opener, and lift the door manually. It should lift smoothly with little resistance and should remain fully open. If it is difficult to open or does not remain open, the door may be out of balance and should be serviced by a trained service technician (Ahem, Overhead Door Company!).

Reversing mechanism test

With the door fully open, lay a piece of wood on the floor in the center of the garage door opening where the door would touch the floor. Push your garage door opener’s transmitter or wall button to close the door. When the door touches the wood, the door should automatically reverse. If the door does not automatically reverse, you need to call us.

If it does not reverse and reopen, pull the broomstick out of the path of the closing door. Close the door. With the door in the closed position, clean the photo eyes with a soft, dry cloth. Gently adjust the photo eyes by hand if they appear to be out of alignment. Open the door and repeat the photo eye test. If the door does not reverse and reopen, you need to call us.

Force Setting Test

With the door fully open, push your garage door opener’s transmitter or wall button to close the door. As the door is closing, hold up the bottom of the door with your hands outstretched and stiff. If the door does not easily reverse and continues to close, pull your hands away immediately. The closing force is excessive and the door should be serviced by a trained service technician.

Force Setting Test

With the door fully open, push your garage door opener’s transmitter or wall button to close the door. As the door is closing, hold up the bottom of the door with your hands outstretched and stiff. If the door does not easily reverse and continues to close, pull your hands away immediately. The closing force is excessive and the door should be serviced by a trained service technician.

It’s completely understandable if you’d rather have Overhead Door Company do the maintenance tests for you. We’re here whenever you need us!

Phone: 651.683.0307

3195 Terminal Dr., Eagan, MN 55121

3 Ways to Improve Home Security

1. Install Alarm System: Having an alarm system is key to your home’s security. Make sure your alarm system directly connects to that of the local authorities, for fast response.
2. Secure Windows: Many home intrusions happen via open windows. Before leaving your house, make sure all of your home’s windows are shut and locked.
3. Replace Garage Doors: Is you garage door old? Your garage door’s age may make it an easy target for hacking, creating a perfect entry point for thieves. Upgrade your garage door for added security.

Do you need to replace your garage door? Overhead Door Company of the Northland offers quality garage doors, to keep your home free of intrusion.