Your overhead garage door is an essential part of your home, offering convenience and security. However, improper use or lack of maintenance can lead to safety hazards. To ensure safe use, follow these essential safety tips for operating your garage door.
1. Regular Maintenance Checks
Routine maintenance is the foundation to ensuring safe operation. Inspect the springs, wires, wheels, and tracks for wear and tear. Look out for strange sounds or jerky movements, which could indicate a problem. Addressing these issues early can stop hazards and costly repairs.
Securing Your Garage Door Remote
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 modern opener system that requires a digital key or PIN to operate.
Teach Your Family About Garage Door Safety
Ensure everyone in your household understands how to use the garage door safely. Teach young ones not to play near the door or its mechanisms and explain the dangers of tampering with moving parts. Proper training is key to ensuring safety.
4. Testing Safety Features
Modern garage doors are equipped with safety features like auto-reverse and obstacle detection. 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 professional inspection.
Professional Repairs Are Safer
While some maintenance tasks can be DIY-friendly, 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.
