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 practical safety tips for operating your garage door.
Inspecting Your Door Frequently
Routine maintenance is the foundation to ensuring safe operation. Inspect the springs, cables, wheels, and rails for signs of damage. Look out for unusual noises or uneven motion, which could indicate a problem. Addressing these issues early can prevent accidents and expensive fixes.
Safe Storage for Remotes
Treat your garage door remote control like a house key. Keep it out of reach of little ones and store it in a safe place when not in use. For added security, consider a smart garage door opener that requires a smartphone app or PIN to operate.
3. Educating Family Members
Ensure everyone in your household knows how to use the garage door safely. Teach young ones not to treat it as a toy or its mechanisms and explain the risks of tampering with the system. Clear communication is key to preventing accidents.
Check Your Door’s Safety Systems
Modern garage doors are equipped with safety features like auto-reverse and motion sensors. 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 service check.
DIY? Not for Garage Doors
While some maintenance tasks can be handled on your own, repairs involving springs, cables, or the opener mechanism should always be left to trained technicians. These components are under extreme stress and can cause severe harm if mishandled.
