SAFETY CORNER is dedicated to providing you with tips for being safe in your personal life.

Many people have homes with a garage and an automatic garage door opener. Having a garage door often gives people a false sense of security. Garage doors can be easily opened by thieves looking to steal items found in your garage or even worse, your home.

Keep in mind that garage door openers work off of a frequency that might enable someone else with a garage door opener on the same frequency to open your garage door. Then they can close the garage door, enabling them to load up their vehicle with items they find in your garage.

In some cases, you might be able to turn the automatic door opener off when you come home. Look on the remote control nearest your door to see if it has an off switch. If it does, turn it off while you are in your home for added security. When you leave, you can turn it back on for easy access.

Is the door from your garage into your house as secure as your front door? Ensure you have a strong, sturdy door with a deadbolt on it. Be sure to lock the door just as you would your front door. It is important to think of your garage as a shelter for your vehicle and not an extension of your living space.