10 Steps to Get Your Garage Ready for a Power Outage

No one wants to imagine the worst-case scenario happening to them, but it can be helpful to plan so you can be ready in the event of a real emergency. Being prepared can bring peace of mind and clarity to a stressful situation. What happens when the power goes out? Wayne Dalton has the answers so you can feel safe even in an emergency situation.  

Lights Out:  

When the power goes off, this can be a minor inconvenience or a big problem depending on the weather and the duration of the outage. If the power is out for days at a time, do you know what to do? Are you ready with offline resources? There are 10 steps you can take today to ensure you are ready to face what comes.  

1. First things first—light! Keep a stash of flashlights and candles in an easy-to-find spot. Remember, you may be searching for them in the dark so put them someplace easy to access and somewhere you won’t forget. Be sure to include batteries and matches in your kit. Keep the batteries outside the flashlight to preserve their power and to avoid corrosion.  
2. Another good resource to have on hand is clean water. It’s always a good idea to keep some clean drinking water on hand to have in a pinch. Keep a few unopened gallons of water in a cool, dark place. According to the CDC, if you package the water yourself, you should replace this water every six months. If the water is commercially packaged, it can last up to a few years.  
3. Don’t forget the snacks! In a power emergency, your refrigerator will start to spoil in about four hours. Keep some shelf-stable foods in your garage just in case. Remember that nothing lasts forever, so you will need to refresh every so often, but having some food on hand could really help in a tough time.  

 

Learn how to operate your garage door manually. In the event of a power outage, you will not be able to use the remote or wall console to open your garage door. If you need to get out of your garage, you need to be familiar with how your garage door operates.   There may be an emergency release cord on your garage door that you will need to pull for the door to operate by hand. Practice manually operating your garage door when there is not an emergency, so you feel confident when the time comes. Read any owner’s manuals to brush up on how your garage door works and if you need, schedule some time with a garage door specialist so you can have an expert show you all the steps for your specific door.   RELEASING THE GARAGE DOOR   Consider a Battery Backup Garage Door Opener  While it's important to know how to operate your garage door manually during a power outage, some modern garage door openers can help keep you moving even when the electricity goes out.  Many Genie garage door openers are available with integrated battery backup systems that allow homeowners to open and close their garage door during a power outage. This added convenience can be especially valuable during severe weather, emergency evacuations, or extended outages when garage access is critical.  Talk with your local Wayne Dalton dealer about opener options that include battery backup capabilities and determine which solution is right for your home.  When the power comes back on, be sure to reset as needed to allow your garage door to function normally.   It is also important to understand how to manually lock your garage door to keep your home safe and secure.




4. Never let your car be close to empty and keep some backup gasoline on hand in case you need to fill up your tank at home.  
5. If you have a garage freezer, try not to open it for as long as possible. Lock in the cold air for as long as you can to try and preserve your food. If you don’t open the door to your freezer, it can maintain its temperature for almost 48 hours.  
6. Keep a first aid kit in your garage for everyday emergencies as well as anything you might need in the event of a power outage.  
7. If you have any appliances (not your freezer) or computers in your garage, be sure to unplug them during a power outage to protect against power surges.  
8. Don’t skip your yearly garage door maintenance. Have all the safety features checked and in good working order in the event something happens. Talk to your garage door specialist and have them explain all the functionality of your garage door so you’ll be ready to operate your garage door safely in different situations.  
9. Finally, keep a battery or solar-powered radio in your power outage kit so you can get real-time updates from the news. Some even have flashlights and phone chargers built in! 

Prepare for Severe Weather Before It Arrives 

Power outages are often caused by severe storms, hurricanes, high winds, and other weather-related events. Preparing your garage door system before a storm arrives can help protect your home and provide peace of mind. 

For homeowners in coastal and high-wind regions, Wayne Dalton offers a variety of wind load-rated garage door options designed to help meet local building requirements and withstand higher wind pressures. Many residential and commercial door models are available with wind load reinforcement options, helping protect one of the largest openings in your home. 

In areas prone to hurricanes or tropical storms, additional protective solutions such as the Wayne Dalton Fabric-Shield® storm panels and pull-down shutters can provide an extra layer of defense. Designed to help shield window and door openings from wind-driven debris, Fabric-Shield^® is lightweight, easy to store, and can be deployed when severe weather threatens. 

Combining a wind load-rated garage door, storm protection products, and a battery backup garage door opener can help create a more resilient home preparedness plan. 

Stay Prepared with Wayne Dalton Storm Solutions 

No one wants disaster to strike, but being prepared can make a significant difference when the unexpected happens. From keeping emergency supplies on hand and understanding how to operate your garage door manually, to investing in storm protection solutions like Fabric-Shield^®, wind load-rated Wayne Dalton garage doors, and Genie battery backup openers, there are many ways to help keep your family safe and connected during an outage. Talk with your local Wayne Dalton dealer to learn more about solutions that can help you prepare for whatever the forecast brings.