If the power goes out and you need to leave your house, you may think your vehicle is trapped in your garage for the time being. This is obviously inconvenient if you have to get to work or drop the kids off at school, but it's important to understand that there are ways to open your garage door during a power outage. Below is a brief primer on how to do this quickly, easily, and with a minimum of stress and hassle.

Pull the Bypass Rope

Most types of automatic garage doors have a bypass switch that can be triggered during a power outage. This switch is usually activated by a rope, typically with a red handle on the end, hanging from the garage door box. Pull this rope to switch your automatic door to manual mode, but, if possible, only do this when your garage door is down. If it is stuck in the up position and you activate the bypass switch, the door might crash down to a close.

Stay in Manual Mode Until Power Is Restored

Busy individuals and families will want to stay in manual mode until the electricity has been turned back on. Your automatic garage door will remain a manual one until you are ready to re-engage it, so don't feel as if you are hurting the door or the automatic mechanism by not using it in automatic mode. Be sure to rein in the bypass rope so it doesn't get caught in the tracks as you open and close the door by hand.

Reactive Your Door

Once power is back and you're ready to reactive your door, simply push the open or close button on your garage door opener, depending on the position the door is in. This will re-engage the mechanism, and your door will be operational again. You can reactive it by hand as well, pulling the bypass rope down and toward the garage opening.

When the power goes out, know how to get your vehicle in and out of the garage by following the above steps. Since 1964, Fred C. Johnson Co. has been providing garage door repair, installation, and replacement to the Jessup, Maryland, area. Call (410) 792-2126 or visit them online to find the perfect garage door for your home or business. You can also follow them on Facebook to get garage door-related tips, advice, and information.