Your overhead garage door is an essential part of your home, offering convenience and peace of mind. However, improper use or lack of care can lead to safety hazards. To protect your family and property, 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 springs, cables, wheels, and rails for signs of damage. Look out for strange sounds or uneven motion, which could indicate a problem. Addressing these issues early can prevent accidents and expensive fixes.
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.
Knowledge Is Power
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 dangers of tampering with moving parts. Clear communication is key to ensuring safety.
4. Testing Safety Features
Modern garage doors are equipped with safety features like automatic reversal systems and obstacle detection. Test these features regularly 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 professional inspection.
DIY? Not for Garage Doors
While some maintenance tasks can be handled on your own, repairs involving torsion mechanisms, wires, or the opener mechanism should always be left to professionals. These components are under high tension and can cause severe harm if mishandled.
