Your overhead garage door is an essential part of your home, offering convenience and peace of mind. However, improper use or lack of maintenance can lead to safety hazards. To protect your family and property, follow these essential safety tips for operating your garage door.
1. Regular Maintenance Checks
Routine maintenance is the first step to ensuring safe operation. Inspect the torsion springs, cables, wheels, and rails for signs of damage. Look out for unusual noises or jerky movements, which could indicate a problem. Addressing these issues early can stop hazards and expensive fixes.
Safe Storage for Remotes
Treat your garage door remote control like a security tool. 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.
Safe Practices for the Household
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. Proper training is key to preventing accidents.
4. Testing Safety Features
Modern garage doors are equipped with safety features like automatic reversal systems 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.
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.
