Your overhead garage door is an essential part of your home, offering ease of access and security. However, improper use or lack of maintenance can lead to safety hazards. To ensure safe use, follow these practical safety tips for operating your garage door.
1. Regular Maintenance Checks
Routine maintenance is the foundation to ensuring safe operation. Inspect the springs, cables, rollers, and tracks for wear and tear. Look out for strange sounds or jerky movements, which could indicate a problem. Addressing these issues promptly can stop hazards and expensive fixes.
Don’t Lose Control
Treat your garage door remote control like a security tool. Keep it out of reach of little ones and store it securely when not in use. For added security, consider a smart garage door opener that requires a smartphone app or PIN to operate.
3. Educating Family Members
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 risks of tampering with the system. Proper training is key to ensuring safety.
Check Your Door’s Safety Systems
Modern garage doors are equipped with safety features like automatic reversal systems and obstacle detection. Test these features regularly 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 service check.
Professional Repairs Are Safer
While some maintenance tasks can be handled on your own, repairs involving springs, wires, or the opener mechanism should always be left to professionals. These components are under extreme stress and can cause serious injury if mishandled.
