"SECURITY"
More burglars are accessing houses through the garage door more then any window or back door. Today's criminal loves the garage door. And there is a few ways for them to get in. On older garage door openers a criminal will try to steal your transmitter code with a universal transmitter or something even more advanced, called a code grabber. Some people leave their garage door open an inch or two for pets and a burglar can reach in over the top section and pull the emergency disconnect. Some criminals just try to pry the door open and if your local installer didn't put the opener arm on properly, they can get it open. Obviously, there are more methods, but criminals read web sites too.
For the greatest amount of security THE DOOR MAN recommends the following to all customers: Keep track of your transmitter (remote car control) at all times. It is a "key" to your home. People keep mini transmitters on key chains. A thief could empty half your home before you know your keys are gone.
Make sure your car control is not to visible in the vehicle. You don't want to give a thief any extra temptation.
If your garage door has ever opened by itself, first change the transmitter code. (See radio controls) If it happens a second time call a professional. A code-change may not be the problem. Sometimes a logic board can short out and scramble signals, or a wire could be pinched and cause the opener to go bizzerk.
If your pre Jan.1993 (see safety beams) has a vacation lock feature on the push button, you should use it if everyone is home. The vacation lock will block any transmitter signals to the opener, even your own. If your newer opener has the revolving codes, the lock isn't to important. You have a one in 4.3 billion chance that a stray signal will cause the opener to open.
If you go on a vacation the best thing to do is unplug opener.
A deadbolt on the door in the garage that leads you into the house is a good idea. Some people when they close their garage door they don't bother to lock their inner door.
If your house has a Tilt-up door (one-piece) you may want to call a professional to install an anti-break in device. It's called a "Gravity drop". That prevents a thief from pulling up one side of the door and crawling in.
And the most important of all: Always make sure your garage door is completely closed before you drive away. Sometimes a door could reverse and open again. You drove away and left a huge sixteen-foot wide hole in your house. I could go on and on about bikes stolen in broad daylight and buglers that just drove in, closed the door behind them and went to work for a couple of hours. You may want to call your local garage door company if your not sure about the security of your door and opener and ask what else they can recommend for your neighborhood. THE DOOR MAN recommends you read all the web pages first. You'll find the very informative.
===============================================================