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 safety hazards. To ensure safe use, follow these practical safety tips for operating your garage door.
Keep Your Door in Check
Routine maintenance is the first step to ensuring safe operation. Inspect the springs, cables, rollers, and rails for signs of damage. Look out for strange sounds or jerky movements, which could indicate a problem. Addressing these issues early can prevent accidents and costly repairs.
Safe Storage for Remotes
Treat your garage door remote control like a security tool. Keep it out of reach of children and store it in a safe place 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 young ones not to treat it as a toy or its mechanisms and explain the dangers of tampering with moving parts. Proper training is key to ensuring safety.
Safety Features Matter
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 professional inspection.
Leave Repairs to the Pros
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.
