Electric Garage Door Scare

[KristiKelly]

Oh my gosh!!! I just had the life scared out of me & my legs turned to jelly, I'm still shaking!! We (DS, DD & myself) just got home from swimming lessons & lunch - treat for DD graduating swimming lessons. Anyway, DS opened the passenger side sliding van door to get out, I was still in the car looking through the mail. I noticed DS playing with the red cord that hangs down from the garage door that turns it from electric to manual (in case of power outtages, etc). I noticed him doing this, but didn't really register in my mind what he was actually doing - anybody else ever do this??? So anyway, he walks around the car & up on the landing to go into the house, waiting for me to unlock the door. He presses the garage door button, I hear the garage door moving, I looked in my review mirror & see that the garage door going down about 20 mph - then BAM!!! OMG!!!!! Where is DD???? I ran around the van scared of what I might find then I ran outside through the regular door to the outside & DD was standing about 1 foot from the door. If she had been 1 foot closer that door would have slammed down on her & would have killed her. My mind is spinning with "what ifs" right now. I came inside & had about a 10 minute cry, explained to my kids to NEVER, NEVER, NEVER play with the red cord on the garage door. If you have this type of door "Overhead Door Co" please explain to your kids not to play with the red cord (I'm sure there's an actual name for it). When the door is in manual, the sensors attached to it do not work & will not stop the door. This scared me a great deal & I'm going to take an Excedrin Migraine now, I just wanted to share with you & warn you - What a terrible accident this could have been.

 

[binny]

WOW so glad everyone is safe~!

 

[chesirechik]

Wow, what a scare! Glad your kiddos are ok.

 

[Towncrier]

Sounds like you need to have the springs on your garage door checked or adjusted. The door shouldn't have come down so hard when disconnected from the garage door opener. Those springs break occasionally and your garage door opener might have been strong enough to overcome the weight of the door without the spring. But once that red cord is pulled, all bets are off.

Thank goodness that nobody was hurt. Please get your door checked soon.

 

[Arabella Figg 2003]

sounds scary. I'm glad everyone's ok.

 

[CindysGusGus]

OMG....So glad she is ok...ive had my fair share of heart stopping moments...they are so not fun!

 

[minniecarousel]

This happened in my brother's family - except one of his triplets DID get hit by the door! The trips were almost five when they were all piling into the car in the garage. My brother was still in the house getting something - the gargae door was open. His daughter pulled on the cord while standing in the van & it came down on my Godson, knocking him out. He was out cold - I can't imagine how my brother felt. He regained consiousness in the ambulance & he had a CAT scan of his head. Thank God he was fine. Gave them all quite a scare!

 

[Squem]

I'm glad your DD is ok - how scary!