Garage door/home security (close call today)

campbellcj · 02-10-2006, 10:35 PM

We've had several home security / alarm / dog kinds of threads lately, so here's another twist.

I had a freak incident today where my wife and I, as well as the housekeeper and our son, all left the house around 8am simultaneously, in 2 different cars.

When I got home tonight -- 11 hours later -- the garage door was half-open.

My theory is that I hit the garage 'close' button, since I pulled out first, and then a few seconds after my wife must've hit the button in her car also, which instead of closing the door, of course reversed it or stopped it. The timing today was highly unsual as we've never pulled out of the driveway almost simultaneously before. The other possibility is that some critter or debris triggered the safety stop beam.

Anyway...there is quite a bit of stuff in the garage that, needless to say, I REALLY would not like to lose. Plus, the inner house door was open too (often I lock it just out of paranoia, but not this am).

Thankfully nothing was taken, which makes me feel a little less paranoid about our near-L.A. neighborhood, but I was wondering if anybody's tried those timer-based automatic garage door closing things I recall seeing in a catalog? Hopefully there would be a simple override for cases when you deliberately want to keep the door open?

Sorry for rambling...this kinda freaked me out as my parents just got burglarized 2-3 weeks ago...

Joeaksa · 02-10-2006, 10:56 PM

Are there no neighbours around who saw this and would close the door for you???? I have seen my neighbour across the street (yes, she is blonde) leave the garage door open several times and I always walk over there and close it for them.

Know what you are talking about. I had the same thing happen a while ago and now sit in front of the house until I confirm that the door is fully closed.

campbellcj · 02-10-2006, 11:22 PM

I don't think the door can be easily closed manually (w/o going inside or having a remote) due to the electric opener. We are on good terms with most/all of the neighbors but we are in the 'burbs and the closest folks are often gone to work or driving kids around so traffic passing in front of the house is extremely light.

Good suggestion about not pulling away until visually confirming that everything is secure; again today was a freak timing occurrence as of course when I'm leaving the driveway (alone) I always do that. And I know my wife does too.

But it only takes one slip-up to lead to potential nastiness...I think I will work on an informal 'neighborhood watch' thing with the closest 8-10 houses. It sure makes sense.

Joeaksa · 02-11-2006, 07:33 AM

I just walk in the other garage, hit the switch by the back door and run out before it closes. If it has the "interrupt" beam, its easy to jump over it.

A "watch" is a good thing to have, especially if there are kids in the area. We all keep an eye out and its easy to call 911 or each other and stop someone prowling around.

ZOA NOM · ZOA NOM's Garage

It had to be the other remote if the door stopped halfway. The trip beam would open the door all the way.

911S Targa · 911S Targa's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by ZOANAS
It had to be the other remote if the door stopped halfway. The trip beam would open the door all the way.

This is true.

gr8fl4porsche · gr8fl4porsche's Garage

I have accidentally hit the wrong garage door opener in my car - the 'home link' buttons built into the vehicle - and left my garage door open on my detached garage for an entire weekend before. Contents open to the public were P-car with keys, Quad Racer, riding lawn mover, about $10,000 worth of tools and a collection of high end full suspension mountain bikes and road bikes.

Thankfully I live in a nice neighborhood on a dead end street. Although no neighbors informed me of my mistake. From inside my house I cannot see my rear garage doors, but you can from the street.