Around 9% of break-ins happen through the garage — not the front door.
It’s one of the most overlooked entry points in Sydney homes. People invest in high-end locks and alarm systems at the front, but leave the garage exposed — sometimes wide open, or running on outdated technology that’s easy to bypass.
And for burglars, garages are a goldmine.
Tools, bikes, surfboards, even car keys — all in one place. And if your garage connects directly to your home, a weak internal door is often the only thing standing in the way.
Here’s how to properly secure it.
Start With the Obvious: Close the Door
It sounds simple, but it’s one of the biggest issues.
Common Situations
Drive through any Sydney suburb and you’ll see it:
Garage doors left open while no one’s around
Doors open while people are inside watching TV
Doors left open during quick trips out
An open garage isn’t a security flaw — it’s an invitation.
What You Should Do
If your system has an auto-close feature, turn it on. If it doesn’t, it may be time to upgrade. Most modern automatic garage doors in Sydney include this as standard.
Upgrade Old Garage Door Openers
This is one of the most important security upgrades — and one of the most overlooked.
Why Older Openers Are Risky
Older garage door openers use fixed codes, meaning:
The remote sends the same signal every time
That signal can be copied using cheap devices
Thieves can capture the code, leave, and come back later to open your garage at will.
Modern Technology Advantage
Modern openers use rolling code technology:
A new code is generated every time the remote is used
Old codes immediately expire
If your opener is more than 10 years old, it’s likely outdated — and vulnerable.
Upgrading to a newer system dramatically improves your home’s security.
Don’t Leave the Remote in Your Car
This is one of the easiest ways burglars gain access.
Common Scenario
Car is parked in the driveway
Remote is clipped to the visor
Car gets broken into
Thief presses the button → garage opens
Simple Fixes
Take the remote inside every night
Use a keychain remote
Switch to a smartphone-controlled opener
No remote in the car = one less easy entry point.
Secure the Emergency Release
Every automatic garage door has an internal emergency release cord — usually a red handle.
It’s designed for safety during power outages.
Unfortunately, it’s also a known weak point.
How Burglars Exploit It
Burglars can:
Slide a wire or coat hanger through the top of the door
Hook the release lever
Disconnect the opener
Lift the door manually
All in seconds.
How to Fix It
Use a zip tie to secure the release lever (can still be broken from inside if needed)
Install a garage shield to block external access
Reinforce the Internal Door
If your garage connects directly to your home, treat that internal door like a front door.
At Minimum
Install a solid core door (not hollow)
Add a deadbolt lock
Reinforce the strike plate with long screws
Connect it to your alarm system if possible
If someone gets into the garage, this is your last line of defence.
Install Motion-Activated Lighting
Burglars rely on darkness.
Benefits
Motion-activated LED lights:
Instantly illuminate the area
Draw attention from neighbours
Make your home a less appealing target
They’re inexpensive, easy to install, and highly effective — especially around garage entrances and side access points.
Block the View Inside
Garage windows might look good, but they also expose what’s inside.
What Burglars Can See
From the street, a burglar can see:
Whether your car is home
What valuables are stored inside
Whether it’s worth breaking in
Simple Fixes
Apply frosted film or window tint
Install blinds or covers on side windows
You still get natural light — without advertising what’s inside.
Add Security Cameras
Modern security cameras are:
Affordable
Weatherproof
Equipped with night vision and phone alerts
Where to Mount
Mount cameras:
Above the garage door
Covering side or rear access points
Visible cameras alone are often enough to deter opportunistic burglars. And if something does happen, footage is invaluable for police and insurance.
Extra Protection When You’re Away
Before going on holiday, take a few extra steps:
Checklist
Unplug the opener → disables remote access entirely
Use manual locks if your door has them
Add a padlock to the track just above a roller to physically block the door
For homes relying on automatic garage doors in Sydney, these steps add a strong layer of physical security.
Keep the Door in Good Condition
A damaged garage door is easier to break into.
Watch For
Bent panels
Gaps at the bottom
Misaligned tracks
These create weak points and access opportunities.
Regular maintenance keeps the door strong, secure, and harder to force open.
Hide Valuables Inside the Garage
An organised garage can unintentionally advertise what you own.
Reduce Temptation
Store valuable items out of sight
Use closed cabinets instead of open shelving
Secure expensive equipment to the wall or floor
If it’s not visible, it’s less likely to be targeted.
Don’t Ignore Side Doors
Many garages have a side or rear entry door — and these are often the weakest points.
Upgrade Them With
A solid door
A proper deadbolt
Good lighting
Burglars often check these first because they’re commonly overlooked.
Most Security Fixes Are Simple (and Affordable)
The reality is that most garage break-ins are opportunistic.
Why They Happen
They happen because:
A door was left open
A remote was easy to access
There were no lights or cameras
The property looked like an easy target
Final Thought
Simple upgrades — like modern openers, lighting, cameras, and better locks — make a huge difference.
They don’t have to make your home impossible to break into.
They just have to make it harder than the one next door.
And that’s usually enough.
