Garage Door Safety Tips

Garage doors malfunction every year, but knowledge can prevent them. Knowing garage door safety tips can save loved ones and avoid bad situations. Safety should be number one, whether the door is an entry point or storage.

In this post, we’ll provide tips to prevent accidents and ensure safe garage door operation. We stress the importance of regular maintenance and awareness of safety features to minimize the risks of heavy doors.

Sensor And Opener Safety

Garage door sensor and opener safety means smooth operation and our loved ones and property.

Photo-Eye Sensors

Photo-eye sensors are safety features that detect obstacles in the door’s path. If something interrupts the sensor beam while the door closes, it should reverse. Check regularly to make sure sensors are clean and aligned. If you see a blinking light, misalignment could be the issue. Adjusting the sensors usually fixes the problem.

Force Settings

Force settings determine how much power the opener uses to open and close the door. If set too high, the door may not reverse when it hits an obstacle, increasing the risk of injury or damage. Test the auto-reverse feature regularly to make sure it’s working.

Wall Button and Remote Controls

Remote controls and wall buttons should be out of children’s reach. Mount the wall button at least 5 feet off the ground and store remotes safely. Also replace remote batteries regularly to maintain smooth operation.

Emergency Release

The emergency release cord allows us to manually operate the door during a power outage or system failure. Practice using it periodically to be prepared for emergencies.

Spring Safety

Garage door springs lift and lower the door, so maintenance is crucial for safety.

Dangers Of DIY Spring Repair

Garage door springs are under high tension and can snap, causing serious injury. Don’t attempt to repair springs without the right tools or experience. Always hire a professional for spring replacements and adjustments.

Identifying Worn Springs

Signs of worn springs include difficulty opening or closing the door, visible rust, gaps in the coils, or loud creaks or pops. Regularly inspect your springs and address issues early to prevent sudden failures and costly repairs.

Child Safety

Child safety around garage doors is a must for households with young children. Proactive measures and education on safe practices can minimize risks and ensure a safe environment.

Educate Children

We should teach our children about the dangers of garage doors. Explain how garage doors work and that they can close unexpectedly.

Here are some points to cover:

Never play near the garage door. Kids should know that the area around garage doors is off-limits when they are in operation.
Recognize safety signals: Teach them to identify warning sounds, like the door starting to open or close.
Discuss emergency procedures: Instruct them on what to do if they feel unsafe or see someone else in danger around the garage.

Supervise Children

Active supervision is key when children are near a garage door. Keeping an eye on them can prevent accidents before they happen.

To increase safety:

Always be present: We should make it a habit to supervise playtime near the garage area.
Lead by example: Show children how we safely operate the garage door and follow safety rules ourselves.
Set clear boundaries: Establish a defined playing area away from the door’s path.

Wall Button Placement

Proper placement of the garage door opener button is crucial for child safety. We must place it where children cannot reach it easily.

Here are some guidelines:

Height matters: Place the control button at least 5 feet off the ground. This keeps it out of reach for small children.
Clear vision: To avoid accidents, the button should be installed so we can see the door while operating it.
Educate children about its use: Tell them only adults should operate the garage door opener.

General Safety Practices

We must follow specific safety practices when using our garage doors. These practices prevent accidents and ensure safe garage door operation.

Keep Fingers and Hands Clear

When operating the garage door, we must keep our fingers and hands clear of its moving parts. The door can close quickly and cause injury.

Important Tips:

Always use the wall-mounted control or a remote.
Don’t put hands or objects in the door’s path when it’s moving.
Pregnant individuals and young children should stay away from the door when it’s operating.

Be Aware of Surroundings

When operating the garage door, we must be aware of our surroundings and check that no one or anything is in the way.

Key Points:

Glance around before we press the button to close the door.
Make sure children and pets are at a safe distance.
Be aware of items like bicycles, tools, or other vehicles in the door’s path.

Regular Garage Door Testing

We must test our garage doors regularly to ensure they are working properly, including testing the safety features.

Testing Checklist:

Auto-reverse mechanism: Place an object in the door’s path to see if it reverses when it hits the object.
Sensors: Check the safety sensors to make sure they are clean and aligned.
Hardware inspection: Tighten loose screws, bolts or brackets to prevent accidents.

Make Your Garage Safer

Keeping our garage door safe is important for our family and home. Regular maintenance is key, like checking for loose hardware and worn-out parts. We should also watch our fingers to avoid getting caught in the door. Educating children about garage door safety is crucial. Installing safety features like safety sensors can make the door safer. Follow these tips to make our garage safer and protect ourselves and our loved ones. And if you ever need a professional to inspect, repair, or upgrade your garage door, Two Brothers Garage Door Services is just a call away—reach out today and let us help you keep your home safe.