Hi there knitter, we also have a detached garage and power outages really haven't been much of a problem. In addition to being infrequent (thankfully), there's a "release" cord INSIDE the garage....so it's possible to open from INSIDE. Obviously there's an extra step to get inside the garage through the side door. (From inside, it's a matter of pushing up the door manually once the cord's been released....we have done this on occasion but I wouldn't make a habit of it.) And always remember, opener or no opener--garage doors can be VERY HEAVY and should ALWAYS BE TREATED WITH RESPECT.

-k2 in CO

Well, K2,you are lucky because you have a side door! I don't! And no window either. I'm lucky to have a garage in this small neighborhood of fifty year old cape cods. I know those doors are really heavy, I guess I'll have to get a handle installed. Thanks for your input.

Even if you were to install a handle on your garage door, there's still the matter of having to pull the drive release handle before you can open the door from the inside or outside. May want to get the man door installed or remove the garage door opener for a handle.

If you have a garage door opener and a power failure happens, this can spell trouble. Especially if you have no other entrance to garage. Two solutions available.

1) Expensive and most secure. Most manufacturers have a battery backup up version of their openers.

2) Less secure, but very inexpensive. Chamberlain opener makes a keyed device which allows you to pull the emergency cord from outside of the garage.

The part number is 7702CB and their number is 1-800-528-5880

Supply Guru

If you have a garage without and external openings other the the garage door and have an opener on it then it is MANDATORY that you have an external release on the door.

Power failures are temporary.

But there are many things in the opener that can fail as can the power wiring.

Here are a couple of other universial releases.

http://www.aaaremotes.com/emrelkit.html

http://www.aaaremotes.com/key-release-lock.html

It make be good to have an emergency way in when the power fails but then you could also have an intruder get in. That wouldn't be to good.

I haven't had much of a problem, but the guys at www.doorcare.com can give you some advice (they're quite helpful).

Best of luck!