Your overhead garage door is an essential part of your home, offering ease of access and peace of mind. However, improper use or lack of care can lead to dangerous situations. To protect your family and property, follow these essential safety tips for operating your garage door.
Inspecting Your Door Frequently
Routine maintenance is the first step to ensuring safe operation. Inspect the torsion springs, cables, wheels, and tracks for wear and tear. Look out for unusual noises or jerky movements, which could indicate a problem. Addressing these issues promptly can prevent accidents and costly repairs.
Don’t Lose Control
Treat your garage door remote control like a security tool. Keep it out of reach of little ones and store it in a safe place when not in use. For added security, consider a modern opener system that requires a digital key or PIN to operate.
Safe Practices for the Household
Ensure everyone in your household understands how to use the garage door safely. Teach children not to treat it as a toy or its mechanisms and explain the risks of tampering with moving parts. Clear communication is key to preventing accidents.
Keep Features in Check
Modern garage doors are equipped with safety features like auto-reverse and obstacle detection. Test these features on a schedule to ensure they are functioning as intended. Place an object like a block of wood under the door while it’s closing—if it doesn’t reverse upon contact, it’s time for a professional inspection.
5. Avoiding DIY Repairs
While some maintenance tasks can be handled on your own, repairs involving springs, wires, or the opener mechanism should always be left to trained technicians. These components are under extreme stress and can cause serious injury if mishandled.
