Plan Ahead to Avoid
Garage Door Lock-In During a Power Outage
Most
people don't even think about their automatic garage door opener not working during
a power outage. We just expect it to faithfully go up and down when we press
the button.
If
the power goes out, you may need to disconnect your automatic opener to
manually open your garage door. Familiarize yourself with the process in
advance to avoid having to search frantically for the garage door instruction
manual in the dark.
Here
are some tips to help avoid getting "locked-in" the garage:
1.
Disconnect or unplug your automatic garage door opener when the garage door is
closed.
2.
Pull the emergency cord to disconnect the garage door opener from the door. The
cord usually has a red handle and will hang down from the center rail of the
garage door mechanism.
3.
Lift the garage door straight up until the door is fully open. Make sure the
door will remain open on its own. If the springs are properly balanced, the
door will open easily and stay in place. If it’s difficult to open, have a
garage door service professional inspect the door to avoid further damage or
safety risks.
4.
Close the garage door manually and lock it. The garage door isn’t securely shut
until you manually slide the lock bar.
5.
Reconnect the automatic garage door opener when the power comes back on. Make
sure the door is unlocked when the opener is reconnected. Opening the garage
door with the lock bar in place can cause major damage.
