Post-Irene: How to Better Prepare Your Home's Largest Access Point for Storm Season

ELMHURST, Ill., Sept. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As water recedes and power is restored, crews work tirelessly to clear streets up and down the East Coast following the aftermath of Hurricane Irene as the long, arduous task of rebuilding begins.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110921/CG72300-a)

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110921/CG72300-b)

While it is nearly impossible to predict when and where a power outage will occur, many homeowners are trying to better prepare themselves and their homes against the potential damage from future storm systems, especially the estimated two million Americans who lost power during Hurricane Irene.

After experiencing days, and in some areas weeks, without power, homeowners have put a new priority on ensuring reliable home access during times of power failures. For example, with an estimated 70 percent of homeowners using their garage door as the main entranceway into their home, many residents up and down the East Coast were left scrambling because the garage door opener they rely on to open and close the garage to their home was powerless.  Easy access into the home as well vehicles stored in the garage is blocked by the home's largest and heaviest moving object – the garage door.

LiftMaster®, the leading brand of professionally installed garage door openers, along with its family of LiftMaster dealers, can provide homeowners with a seamless solution – garage door openers with a Battery Backup System built right in, so home access and security via the garage is never jeopardized when the power is out.

LiftMaster garage door openers supply enough power for the system to open and close the garage door 40 more times without electricity. Once power is lost to the home, the backup system seamlessly and automatically begins operating not only the opener, but all the safety and security features of the garage door opener are still functional as well.

"Homeowners have a lot to handle when the power goes out, let alone when their home is affected by a storm the magnitude of Irene as well as the flood waters that followed," said Sally Anderson, vice president, channel marketing, and company lead for the LiftMaster ProVantage® program, an elite group of LiftMaster dealers with impeccable customer service and community ties, many of whom have businesses in the affected areas. "Being able to open and close the garage door safely and securely is very important, especially in times of emergency, which is why our dealers are standing by to help install these enhanced systems that offer peace-of-mind during a hectic and extremely challenging time – at least you know you can get in your garage, every time," added Anderson.

LiftMaster garage door openers are the only brand on the market with this patented Battery Backup feature built directly into the opener.  All LiftMaster residential and commercial garage door openers as well as gate openers, accessories and access systems are professionally installed by LiftMaster authorized dealers. To learn more about equipping your home, multi-unit residence or business with a LiftMaster garage door opener or gate opener with Battery Backup, or to find a local dealer with ProVantage status, visit www.LiftMaster.com. For tips and stats on garage door access during a power failure, visit www.GetinYourGarage.com.

SOURCE LiftMaster