James,
To follow up on a couple of recent letters about Electric Garage Doors as a Point of Entry for Burglars and Home Invaders [1]: Keep in mind that pulling the [emergency] disconnect rope on a garage door just leaves it in a position where it can be rolled up by hand.
The motor for our garage door is not hardwired, but plugs into a standard receptacle box in the ceiling. I keep a power strip plugged into that ceiling outlet, and the garage door opener plugs into the power strip. The power strip dangles about seven feet off the floor and is tied off to the garage door motor bracket.
To disable the garage door opener, I just turn off the power strip.
The overhead power strip is also a very handy place for plugging in work lights and tools.
When vacationing, I bolt the dolt closed by putting a thin 2 or 3″ bolt through the end of the garage door latch/lock/doorknob where it acts as a deadbolt by engaging the garage door track. It seems all garage door latches have a hole drilled in them so they can be locked shut from the inside with a small padlock. But a small bolt works just fine, and you’ll never lose the key. Then turn off the power strip and put a piece of duct tape over the switch to remind you to UNLOCK THE DOOR before hitting the button or the garage door opener will try to rip out the top of the garage door. (Yes, I know how to repair a garage door after making that mistake .) – H.C.