LiftMaster Helps Homeowners Ready the Garage for Harsh Winter Weather

Simple tips seek to improve functionality, convenience and safety in and around the garage

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Nov 10, 2015, 09:00 ET

ELMHURST, Ill., Nov. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Winter is fast approaching, with the Farmer's Almanac predicting harsh winter weather across the country come December. While homeowners can take simple steps to prepare their homes for the upcoming season – such as installing storm windows, insulating pipes and caulking exterior doors – it's important not to overlook the one area that directly protects us from winter weather – the garage.

LiftMaster is the number one brand of professionally installed residential garage door openers.

The garage door is the main access point to the home for more than 70 percent of homeowners, and as harsh and potentially dangerous winter weather approaches, it's important for homeowners to ensure the safety and security of their household's main point of entry. LiftMaster – the number one brand of professionally installed residential garage door openers – is providing homeowners with helpful tips to ensure their garages and garage door openers are ready for winter season. LiftMaster's tips include:

Keep the cold out: It's always important to make sure the garage door is functioning properly, but it's vital during winter when the cold air and snow can cause damage to parked cars or other valuable property. Homeowners should check the weather stripping around the garage door to ensure it's keeping out the cold air, and replace any damaged or missing seals. It's also important to check that the garage door opener is operating properly; homeowners can use LiftMaster's simple 3-Step Safety Check to check the performance of key industry-standard safety features such as photo eyes and auto-reverse.
Connect the garage: Winter weather can swoop in without warning, and homeowners may need to change their plans at a moment's notice. Homeowners should consider installing connected home technology such as LiftMaster MyQ for added convenience and peace of mind. "MyQ allows users to open, close and control their garage door opener from any connected device," said Juan Lopez, director of Marketing, Connectivity and Controls, "If school is unexpectedly canceled and you need to let the kids in, or you're out holiday shopping and realize the garage door may still be open, MyQ will give you the ability to control, open or close your garage anytime, from anywhere."
Be prepared: Winter storms can cause outages throughout the neighborhood, and with cold and snowy roads it may take local utilities a significant time to restore power. LiftMaster's Elite Series 8550 comes fully integrated with Battery Backup so you can still park your vehicle, reach stored items and access your home even during the worst storms. Prior to an outage, homeowners should also make sure they have a fully-stocked emergency kit in the garage including flashlights, a first aid kit, drinking water and non-perishable food for the whole family.
Catch issues early: Older garage doors and openers can malfunction in cold weather, so garage door maintenance and inspections are even more important ahead of and during the winter months. Metal parts of a garage door can contract during cold weather, which can lead to broken springs and other issues. Homeowners should use a garage door lubricant on any moving parts, and schedule an inspection with their local dealer to examine the garage door and opener to identify any potential defects. If the opener is too old, homeowners should consider upgrading to a newer model like LiftMaster's 8550W Elite Series with Wi-Fi capability for easy connectivity and security.

With these helpful tips, homeowners can ensure their garage is safe, functional and secure well through the winter and into spring. For additional information on garage door openers and safety in and around the garage, visit LiftMaster.com.

About LiftMaster
LiftMaster is the number one brand of professionally installed residential garage door openers, as well as a major manufacturer of commercial door operators, residential and commercial gate operators, telephone entry systems and related access control products. Driven by the access and security needs of the marketplace, LiftMaster's expansive line of state-of-the-art residential and commercial products are designed to fit any lifestyle or application, providing the latest technology and innovations in safety, security and convenience. For inquiries on LiftMaster products or to inquire about becoming an authorized Dealer, please visit LiftMaster.com.

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Jefferson Day
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312-240-2622

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SOURCE LiftMaster