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 practical 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, wheels, and rails for signs of damage. Look out for strange sounds or jerky movements, which could indicate a problem. Addressing these issues promptly can prevent accidents and costly repairs.
2. Keeping Remote Controls Secure
Treat your garage door remote control like a security tool. Keep it out of reach of little ones and store it in a safe place 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 knows how to use the garage door safely. Teach children 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.
Keep Features in Check
Modern garage doors are equipped with safety features like auto-reverse 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 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 trained technicians. These components are under extreme stress and can cause severe harm if mishandled.
