An ounce of prevention ...

[caption id="attachment_25472" align="alignleft" width="180"] sponsored[/caption] In a state where it's not uncommon to own a bicycle that cost as much as a used car, Coloradans depend on their garages to house their adventure machines, their tools, and a lot of valuable gear. Unfortunately, most garages are not difficult to break into, and it's pretty easy to walk away with a bicycle that only weighs 20 lbs. Not to mention, a lot of people leave the door connecting their house to the garage unlocked. That's why it's important to heed these simple steps to ensure that your garage and garage door are secure.

Keep your garage door opener with you.

garage door When somebody enters your vehicle and they find your remote garage door opener (which is often in plain sight), they have access to your garage. A variety of companies offer keychain-sized garage door openers, and for the tech-savvy, some systems even come equipped with an app that can open and close your garage.

Keep your garage door closed!

garage door This seems straightforward, but every now and then we all forget to close our garage doors. If you're prone to leaving your garage door open, perhaps you want to look into a timer or an app that will automatically close your door should you forget.

Install a motion-activated light.

garage door Nowadays, motion-activated outdoor security lights can be had for less than $100 and are especially helpful when coupled with an outdoor security camera.

Shield your emergency release.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpo2l_SKX7k If your garage door has windows, burglars can not only see what kind of treasures you might be hiding but they can also use a coat hanger to hook your emergency release. And voila -- they're in. The good thing is, a simple zip tie can protect you.

Speaking of windows, you should frost them.

garage door Burglarizing a garage is a risk, and if a thief sees that you have a "Snap On" tool chest, then they know the break-in is worth the reward.

If you're going to be gone for a while, lock the garage door with a padlock.

[caption id="attachment_25469" align="alignnone" width="386"]garage door photo: family handyman[/caption] A simple padlock or a door latch can add an added layer of security.

Make sure your garage door is functioning properly.

garage door If your garage door doesn't close properly or has a weak spring, then your security is compromised. The best thing to do is call a technician to evaluate your garage door's health and make repairs as necessary. Do you have any tips you would like to share? Let us know in the comments below!

Want to hear more about what's going on in Colorado? Did you hear about the Colorado vets that received France's highest honor?