Essential Garage Door Safety Tips Every Homeowner Should Know

2023-12-10 6 min read

# Essential Garage Door Safety Tips Every Homeowner Should Know

Your garage door is the largest moving object in your home, and it can pose serious safety risks if not properly maintained or used correctly. Each year, thousands of Americans are injured in garage door-related accidents, many of which could have been prevented. In this article, we'll cover essential safety tips that every homeowner should know to protect their family.

Understanding the Risks

Before diving into safety tips, it's important to understand the potential dangers:

- Crushing hazard: A closing garage door can exert hundreds of pounds of force - Entrapment: Fingers, hands, or clothing can get caught in door sections - Spring tension: Garage door springs are under extreme tension and can cause serious injury - Electrical hazards: Improper wiring or damaged components can cause shocks or fires - Carbon monoxide: Running vehicles in closed garages with attached homes

Monthly Safety Checks You Should Perform

1. Test the Auto-Reverse Feature

All garage doors manufactured after 1993 are required to have an auto-reverse feature. To test it:

- Place a 2x4 board flat on the ground where the door would close, Press the close button, The door should reverse immediately upon touching the board, If it doesn't reverse, contact a professional immediately

2. Test the Photo-Eye Sensors

These sensors create an invisible beam across the door opening:

- With the door open, press the close button, Wave a broom or similar object through the beam, The door should reverse immediately, Clean the sensors monthly with a soft cloth

3. Visual Inspection

Once a month, take a few minutes to:

- Look for worn, frayed, or damaged cables, Check for rust or corrosion on springs, Examine rollers for cracks or wear, Look for loose hinges or brackets, Check the door balance (disconnect opener, lift door halfway.it should stay in place)

4. Listen for Warning Signs

Pay attention to unusual sounds:

- Grinding or scraping noises, Excessive vibration, Popping or snapping sounds, Straining motor sounds

Teaching Children About Garage Door Safety

Children are particularly vulnerable to garage door injuries. Teach them:

- Never play under or near a moving door: The door can close unexpectedly - Keep fingers away from door sections: Fingers can get pinched between panels - Remotes are not toys: Treat the garage door opener like any other household appliance - Stay away from the tracks: Never climb or hang from the door - Never try to race under a closing door: This is extremely dangerous

Keep Remotes Out of Reach

Store garage door remotes where young children cannot access them. Consider wall-mounted controls that are high enough to be out of reach of small children.

Professional Maintenance

While homeowners can perform basic visual inspections, some maintenance tasks should only be done by professionals:

- Spring adjustment or replacement: Springs are under extreme tension - Cable repair: Cables can snap and cause injury - Track alignment: Requires special tools and knowledge - Opener repair: Involves electrical components - Balance adjustment: Affects safe operation

We recommend professional maintenance at least once a year. This includes lubrication of all moving parts, adjustment of spring tension, testing of safety features, and a comprehensive inspection.

Emergency Procedures

If Someone Is Trapped Under the Door

1. Do NOT try to move the door manually.call 911 2. Keep the person calm and still 3. Do not attempt to operate the door again 4. Wait for emergency responders

If the Door Won't Open During an Emergency, Use the emergency release cord (usually a red rope hanging from the trolley)

- Pull straight down to disengage the opener, Lift the door manually, Important: Only do this when the door is fully closed to prevent it from crashing down

Creating a Safety-First Garage

Additional steps to make your garage safer:

- Install motion-sensor lighting, Keep the garage floor clear of clutter, Store hazardous materials properly, Install a carbon monoxide detector in attached garages, Ensure proper ventilation

When to Call a Professional

Contact a garage door professional if you notice:

- Door doesn't reverse when it should, Visible damage to springs, cables, or drums, Door is unbalanced or crooked, Unusual noises during operation, The opener runs but the door doesn't move

At Garage Door Bradbury, safety is our top priority. If you have any concerns about your garage door's safety, don't hesitate to call us at (626) 612-0526 for a free safety inspection.

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