Why You Should Take the Garage Door Remote Out of the Car
If you have a remote-controlled garage door, you likely prefer to keep the remote somewhere that’s convenient for quick access such as the center console of your car or the glove compartment. Some will even clip their garage door remote to the driver’s-side sun visor for additional ease.
Though keeping your garage door remote in your car at all times may seem like the most obvious and convenient choice, it’s not necessarily the wisest. There’s no doubt that you’ll need to bring it with you when you leave the house in order to get back in later, but the remote shouldn’t be left in the car unattended, especially when your car is parked somewhere that’s not your garage. Why, you ask? Here are some of the main reasons.
Risk of theft. Having your garage door remote stolen isn’t your typical theft. Not only does the thief now have something valuable of yours, they also have easy access to your home. A thief with your garage door remote won’t have to break anything to get in and can enter your home basically undetected, especially while everyone is out. If you keep your garage door remote on your keychain, in your purse, or on your person, you run a much smaller risk of theft or loss. Just make sure you pay as much attention to its safety as you would your car keys or wallet.
Potential damage. Garage door remotes are typically very small, delicate pieces of machinery that can be broken or damaged easily. Storing your remote in your car increases the likelihood of it being crushed by other objects or accidentally stepped on when entering or exiting the car. Additionally, depending on where your remote is usually stored within the car, it could be exposed to excessive heat from direct sunlight which could damage the internal workings of the remote.
Looking after your garage door remote and trying to avoid the risks of loss, theft, or damage is worth the hassle for your safety. However, if you’re looking for a more streamlined solution, many contemporary garage door mechanisms are compatible with cell phones. This gives you the option to open or close your garage door from anywhere right from an app on your phone. As long as you take good care of your cell phone and always keep it in a safe place, you won’t have to worry about keeping track of a garage door remote.
There is also keychain remote options that can be stored safely in your pocket or bag for those who prefer a physical remote over a phone app.
