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 dangerous situations. 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, wires, rollers, and tracks 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 costly repairs.
Don’t Lose Control
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 digital key or PIN to operate.
3. Educating Family Members
Ensure everyone in your household knows how to use the garage door safely. Teach children not to treat it as a toy or its mechanisms and explain the dangers of tampering with the system. Clear communication is key to ensuring safety.
Keep Features in Check
Modern garage doors are equipped with safety features like automatic reversal systems and obstacle detection. 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.
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 professionals. These components are under extreme stress and can cause serious injury if mishandled.
