Emergency Access: Protecting Your Family

December 28, 2023 7 min read Leetonia Garage Doors Team

Emergency Preparedness for Your Garage

Your garage door is one of the largest moving parts in your home. Knowing how to operate it safely during emergencies is crucial for your family's safety.

Understanding the Emergency Release

Every garage door opener has an emergency release mechanism.usually a red cord with a handle hanging from the opener rail.

How It Works: 1. Pulling the cord disconnects the door from the opener 2. You can then manually lift and lower the door 3. The door remains operational without power

When to Use It: - Power outages, Opener malfunction, Need to exit during an emergency, Fire or natural disaster evacuation

Step-by-Step Emergency Release

From Inside the Garage: 1. Ensure the door is fully closed 2. Pull the emergency release cord down and toward the door 3. Manually lift the door to the open position 4. Exit and manually close the door from outside

From Outside the Garage: Some doors have exterior emergency release kits: 1. Insert the key into the lock 2. Turn the key to release the lock cylinder 3. Pull the release cable 4. Manually open the door

Safety Features Every Door Should Have

Auto-Reverse Mechanism - Reverses if door contacts an object, Required on all openers manufactured after 1993, Test monthly by placing a 2x4 under the door

Photo-Eye Sensors - Detect objects in the door path, Located 4-6 inches above floor level, Door reverses if beam is interrupted

Manual Locks - Slide bolts or T-handle locks, Use only when opener is disconnected, Never lock when opener is engaged

Power Outage Preparedness

1. Know your release: Practice using the emergency release before you need it 2. Keep a flashlight: Store one near the garage door 3. Battery backup: Consider an opener with battery backup 4. Manual locks: Know how to secure the door manually

Fire Safety

In case of fire: - Know an alternate exit route, Never open the garage door if fire is suspected outside, Close the door between garage and house to slow fire spread, Keep fire extinguisher accessible in garage

Teaching Family Members

Make sure everyone in your home knows: - Location of the emergency release, How to operate it safely, When (and when not) to use it, Alternate exit routes

Need to upgrade your opener with modern safety features? Our opener services include installation of battery backup systems and safety sensor upgrades. Schedule a safety inspection with Leetonia Garage Doors to ensure your garage door is properly equipped for emergencies. We also offer 24/7 emergency service for urgent situations.

Back to Blog