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 ensure safe use, follow these essential safety tips for operating your garage door.
Inspecting Your Door Frequently
Routine maintenance is the foundation to ensuring safe operation. Inspect the torsion springs, cables, rollers, and rails for signs of damage. Look out for strange sounds or uneven motion, which could indicate a problem. Addressing these issues promptly can prevent accidents and expensive fixes.
2. Keeping Remote Controls Secure
Treat your garage door remote control like a house key. Keep it out of reach of children and store it securely when not in use. For added security, consider a smart garage door opener that requires a smartphone app or PIN to operate.
Teach Your Family About Garage Door Safety
Ensure everyone in your household understands how to use the garage door safely. Teach children not to play near the door or its mechanisms and explain the dangers of tampering with the system. Clear communication is key to preventing accidents.
Safety Features Matter
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 properly. 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.
Leave Repairs to the Pros
While some maintenance tasks can be handled on your own, repairs involving torsion mechanisms, cables, or the opener mechanism should always be left to trained technicians. These components are under high tension and can cause serious injury if mishandled.
