Garage Door Safety Tips Every Family Should Know
2023-12-20 6 min read
# Garage Door Safety Tips Every Family Should Know
Garage doors are incredibly convenient, but they can also pose safety risks if not properly maintained or used correctly. As one of the heaviest moving objects in your home, a garage door demands respect and awareness. Here are essential safety tips every family should follow.
Educate Your Children
Children are naturally curious and may not understand the dangers associated with garage doors. Teach them these important rules:
- Never play under or near a moving garage door. The door should never be treated as a toy or a game. - Keep fingers away from door sections. When the door is in motion, the joints between sections can pinch or trap fingers. - Don't race the door. Never try to run under a closing garage door. Wait for it to open or close completely. - The remote is not a toy. Garage door openers should be kept out of reach of young children and never used as playthings.
Consider having a family meeting to discuss garage door safety and establish clear rules about garage door use.
Understand Your Door's Safety Features
Modern garage doors are equipped with safety features that can prevent injuries. Make sure you understand and regularly test these features:
Auto-Reverse Mechanism: If the door contacts an object while closing, it should automatically reverse direction. Test this monthly by placing a 2x4 flat on the ground in the door's path.
Photo-Eye Sensors: These sensors create an invisible beam across the door opening about six inches from the ground. If the beam is broken while the door is closing, it reverses. Test monthly by breaking the beam with your foot while the door is closing.
If either safety feature isn't working properly, stop using your automatic opener until repairs are made.
Keep the Opener Remote Secure
Treat your garage door remote like a house key. Many break-ins occur through garage doors, often because remotes were left in unlocked cars or in plain sight.
- Keep remotes locked in your car when parked outside your garage, Consider using a smartphone app instead of a physical remote, Never leave the remote in the visor of your car, If a remote is lost or stolen, reprogram your opener to delete the old code
Regular Maintenance Prevents Accidents
A well-maintained garage door is a safer garage door. Schedule annual professional inspections and follow routine maintenance practices:
- Visually inspect springs, cables, rollers, and other hardware monthly, Listen for unusual noises that could indicate problems, Ensure the door is balanced properly, Keep the tracks clean and aligned
Worn or broken components can cause the door to malfunction or fall, potentially causing injury or property damage.
Never Attempt DIY Spring Repairs
Garage door springs are under extreme tension and can cause serious injury or death if they break or are improperly handled. Springs should only be serviced by trained professionals with proper tools and safety equipment.
If you notice broken or stretched springs, or if your door isn't operating properly, call a professional immediately. At Garage Door Laguna Niguel, our technicians are trained to safely repair and replace springs.
Install a Manual Lock When Away
If you'll be away from home for an extended period, consider locking your garage door with the manual lock (if equipped) in addition to the automatic opener. This provides an extra layer of security and prevents the door from being opened even if someone gains access to a remote or the opener is compromised.
Consider Upgrading Older Doors
Garage doors manufactured before 1993 may not have the safety features required by current regulations. If your door lacks auto-reverse or photo-eye sensors, consider upgrading to a modern system with these essential safety features.
Modern doors and openers also include additional safety features like: - Force settings that stop the door if it meets resistance, Battery backup systems for power outages, Motion-sensing lights for visibility
Emergency Release Procedures
Every family member who might need to use the garage door should know how to operate the emergency release. This feature allows you to disconnect the door from the automatic opener and operate it manually during power outages or opener malfunctions.
The emergency release is typically a red cord or handle hanging from the opener rail. Pulling it disconnects the door from the opener. Make sure you understand how to reconnect the door to the opener afterward.
When in Doubt, Call a Professional
If you have any concerns about your garage door's safety or operation, don't hesitate to call a professional. At Garage Door Laguna Niguel, we offer safety inspections and can ensure your door meets all current safety standards. Your family's safety is worth the investment.