Holiday Security Checklist: How to Protect Your Garage Door While You’re Away
November 26, 2025
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The holidays are for family, travel, and rest — not worrying about your home’s safety. Yet every year, break-ins rise during the holiday season, often through one of the most overlooked entry points: the garage door. And this holiday season, whether you’re heading out for a weekend or a week-long trip, a few proactive steps can make all the difference.
Here’s your garage door holiday security checklist to help you travel with confidence.
If you’re leaving a vehicle behind, don’t leave the remote inside. A visible garage remote is practically an invitation for thieves. Bring your remote keychain with you or temporarily turn off your opener using the opener’s “vacation mode” setting (available on most modern systems).
If your garage has a manual lock, consider engaging it before you go — it adds an extra physical layer of protection.
Learn more about how your opener works here:
How to Program a Garage Door Opener
Smart openers — like the LiftMaster MyQ system — give you complete control, even from hundreds of miles away.
With the MyQ app, you can:
Check if your garage door is open or closed
Close it remotely
Receive real-time alerts
Create auto-close schedules
This level of visibility gives you peace of mind and helps deter break-ins.
Explore opener options here:
Garage Door Openers
If your garage door is more than 10 years old, it may not meet today’s security or wind-resistance standards. Impact-rated and hurricane-rated garage doors are designed to handle more than just storms — they offer stronger protection against forced entry, too.
Here’s how they compare:
| Feature | Standard Door | Impact-/Hurricane-Rated Door |
|---|---|---|
| Material strength | Thin steel/aluminum | Reinforced steel/composite with internal supports |
| Wind resistance | ~90–100 mph | 150+ mph (Florida Building Code approved) |
| Locking system | Basic latch | Multi-point locking / heavy-duty bolts |
| Break-in resistance | Can be pried open | Tested against debris + pressure |
Learn more about Florida’s structural standards:
Florida Building Code
View impact-rated installation examples here:
Photo Gallery
If you’ll be away for more than a week and don’t need remote access, unplug your opener. This prevents thieves from using universal remotes or signal-jamming devices to force the door open.
Thieves prefer darkness. Installing motion-activated lighting around your garage can deter suspicious activity and make your home look occupied.
You can also integrate lighting with a smart home system that turns lights on at random intervals — a proven deterrent.
Beyond the basics, these upgrades can strengthen your security:
Garage door shield or latch cover: Prevents thieves from pulling the emergency release cord
Smart security cameras: MyQ, Ring, and Nest offer garage-compatible cameras
Deadbolt reinforcement kit: Protects the door leading from the garage into your home
Wi-Fi alarms or tilt sensors: Sends alerts if the door moves unexpectedly
Before heading out, have a certified technician inspect your springs, sensors, and opener system. A pre-holiday check ensures your door closes securely and reliably.
If your sensors are misaligned or faulty, this guide may help:
How to Align Garage Door Sensors
Allied Doors technicians can service, upgrade, or replace your opener — and help you choose the best impact-rated garage door for your home.
This holiday season, take a few extra minutes to secure your garage before you go. Whether it’s upgrading to a smart opener, reinforcing your door, or booking a maintenance service, small actions make a big difference.
Contact Allied Doors today to schedule your pre-holiday check or learn more about our security-focused garage door options:
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