Why garage door safety matters
A garage door is the heaviest moving part in most homes. It can injure fingers, trap pets and damage vehicles, and failing springs can cause serious injury. Most accidents are preventable with a few habits and a yearly check.
Make sure everyone in the house knows how the door works.
Keep the door in good repair, and do not ignore warning signs.
It helps to hold a short family conversation about the garage door. Explain the basic rules once, and repeat them after any change, such as a new driver, a new pet or a visiting grandchild.
Sensors and auto-reverse
Modern openers have photo eyes that stop and reverse the door if something crosses the beam, and a force sensing feature that reverses on contact. These features protect people and pets, and they should be tested often.
Test the photo eyes by waving an object through the beam while the door closes. Test auto-reverse with a block of wood on the floor.
If either test fails, stop using the opener and call us.
Replace the batteries in the remote and the keypad once a year. A weak remote can make a door behave unpredictably, and a fresh battery is a small cost for a more dependable system.
Children and remotes
Keep remotes and keypad codes away from young children. A garage door is not a toy. Teach older children to stay clear while the door is moving and never to run under a closing door.
Mount wall controls out of reach of small children.
Use a keypad code that is easy for family members but not obvious to others.
If your children use a keypad, choose a code that is easy to remember and change it from time to time. Do not write the code on the wall of the garage, and remove access when it is no longer needed.
Pets and vehicles
Pets may dash under a closing door, so watch them. Park well clear of the path so that a door never touches a vehicle. If a door has scratched a roof or a mirror, the opener limits or the sensors may need attention.
Do not leave a door half open, since it can drop.
Check that nothing sticks out from a truck or trailer into the door path.
If your garage holds a vehicle that is taller than usual, such as a truck with a rack, check the clearance before pulling in. A door that touches a vehicle can bend and damage tracks.
Springs and cables
Springs and cables are under extreme tension and can cause severe injury. Never touch them, and never try to loosen a bottom bracket. Stop using a door with a broken spring or frayed cable.
Leave repair and adjustment to a trained professional.
A yearly inspection catches worn parts before they fail.
Look for the warning labels on the springs and brackets. They are there for a reason, and they remind everyone that these parts are under tension and should not be touched.
Habits that help
Close the door when you leave and at night. Keep the area around the door clear. Keep the manual release accessible and know how to use it. Schedule a yearly safety inspection and fix problems early.
Replace old remotes if they are lost.
Teach everyone the basic rules, and enjoy a safer garage.
Write the date of the last inspection on a card in the garage. A simple reminder makes it easier to book the next visit, and it keeps safety on the schedule instead of in the back of the mind.
Test the sensors and auto-reverse every few months, keep children away from controls and leave springs to the professionals.
