Unknown garage door safety hack is blowing people's minds on TikTok: 'New fear unlocked'

Thu, June 08, 2023 at 5:22:08 PM EDT

A homeowner has taken to TikTok to reveal a little-known safety feature hidden within garage door openers, and it's blowing minds.

TikToker Blake (@weakankleblake) gained over 1.9 million views, 104,000 likes, 7,400 saves and 1,800 comments when he uploaded the garage hack to his account.

Blake's revelation isn't the first home hack to go viral on the app. Recently, TikTokers were furious to discover the secret storage function their paper towel holders had been hiding all these years. And last year, a professional cleaner shocked millions of users when she revealed the secret way to open an oven door.

But thanks to Blake's security hack, TikTokers with garage doors are sure to sleep a little more soundly at night.

This is why it's important to lock your garage at night #homesafety #safetyfirst #safetytips #lockdown #lockyourgarage #nightlyroutine

"If you have a garage, this is something you should be doing every night," Blake's video begins.

He then takes viewers into his garage, where he flips a "lock" switch on the door opener pad. "Make sure when your garage door is closed, you lock it. You shut this door, and you lock this," he says, referencing the door leading into his home.

"Because if you don't, and you park outside and you forget to lock your car, somebody can just open [your car] up and push that right there," he says, pushing the garage door opener on his car visor, "and your garage opens. And the door to your house opens."

In response to Blake's video, TikTok user Veronique (@veronique.vibe) decided to try out the garage door hack for herself. In doing so, she gained over 2.6 million views, 211,000 likes, 16,000 saves and 500 comments.

#stitch with @Blake #thingsweshouldhavebeentaughtinschool #fyp #foryou #garagelock #garagelocked

"Something else TikTok taught me," Veronique's video begins. She then walks into her garage and flips open her garage door panel. There, she sees a small "LOCK" button.

"That's crazy," she says, laughing to herself as she presses and holds it. "Wow."

TikTokers were just as shocked as Veronique was.

"I’ve learned more on TikTok then school," commented @nik_nik429.

"I bought my house in 2019 and I was today years old when I found out I can actually lock my garage🤦😂" wrote @heavenlyzmama.

"RUNS TO MY GARAGE OMG," replied @crownedtia.

However, for some, Blake's hack was old news — while others preferred leaving it unlocked.

"So yall haven't been locking the garage?😭😭😭" wrote @galleryofboog.

"I always knew about this, but it's an inconvenience when u forget to unlock it @leche_409

Over 1 million home burglaries occur annually in the U.S. The most vulnerable entry point for burglars? Windows and garages, reports Garage Living.

"It only takes a few minutes for a thief to break into your home and make off with your personal property," it states. "If you have an attached garage, there's even more reason to re-evaluate how secure it is."

In addition to locking your garage door opener (or, for those still working with manual openers, upgrading to a modern automatic opener), Garage Living recommends covering any windows your garage door may have, while also improving your exterior lighting by adding motion-activated lights.

The company also recommends never leaving valuables in your garage or car and locking up tools in cabinets and drawers.

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