Having someone break into your garage can be harrowing and disconcerting. Apart from losing valuable belongings, it can make homeowners anxious about how secure their home is. Understanding what to do following a garage break-in can allow you to secure your property, deter further issues and reclaim peace of mind. Omega Garage Doors has some expert advice about how to respond.

Keep Calm and Evaluate the Situation Safely

Please wait until you know it’s safe to go back inside your property before doing so. If you have any reason to believe the intruder is still in the building or outside nearby waiting for their next opportunity, get out and call 911. Your safety is the most important thing—do not confront anyone or touch anything that may serve as evidence.

Contact the Authorities

Contact your local police department and let them know you were broken into. As many details as you can — When did you first discover the break-in? What seems to be missing or damaged? Do you have any security footage? You need a police report for the insurance and reference.

Document the Damage

Go outside and snap clear photos or take a video of all visible damage to your garage door, locks, windows and any stolen items. This information will help in your insurance claim process and provide evidence for the police.

Notify Your Insurance Company

Next, contact your home insurance company to submit a claim. They’ll probably request a police report number, photographs and a list of stolen or damaged items. The earlier you begin this process, the quicker you can recover losses.

Secure Your Garage Immediately

A busted garage door or shattered lock on your house can leave the property vulnerable to even more risk—set up a 24-hour garage door repair or security service, such as extra locks or barriers. Omega Garage Doors provides same-day repair to help homeowners make their homes safe and functional after a break-in.

Inspect Your Garage Door System

Criminals frequently pounce on vulnerabilities like rusty locks, antiquated openers or feeble panels. Have an expert check your entire garage door system — including the opener, springs, sensors and tracks — for signs of tampering or damage. A full service check to make sure everything is running safely and efficiently.

Upgrade Your Garage Security

The perfect time to make your garage more secure is after a burglary.

• Install smart locks or a keypad entry system for improved access control.
• Install a new garage door opener with rolling code technology.
• Install motion-sensor lights around the garage area.
• Think of a security camera or alarm system linked to your cell phone.

Such enhancements are powerful guards for further burglaries.

Review Overall Home Security

Since the majority of burglars enter via the garage, use this opportunity to secure your entire home better. Reinforce joining doors with deadbolts, solid cores and smart locks. Ensure that all outside doors and windows are closed securely, especially at night.

Learn from the Experience

As unfortunate as a break-in is, it also serves as a reminder of how crucial prevention is. Take care of what you have – perform routine maintenance checks on your garage (including locks and lubrication) and always keep valuable tools behind a locked door.

Trust Professionals for Lasting Security

They can repair the damage in your garage door, or you may want to have a more secure overhead door installed. With solid steel and insulated doors, to chain or wireless openers, and other accessories that provide peace-of-mind security, the members of our team ensure your garage stays safe for years!

Final Thoughts

Having your garage broken into can be jarring, but with some practical lessons and professional assistance, you can take back control and reinforce the security of your home. As always, react promptly, document diligently and invest in long-term preventative measures.

Protect Your Home. Secure Your Garage.

Contact Omega Garage Doors now for all your emergency repairs, inspections and security upgrade needs.