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 protect your family and property, follow these essential safety tips for operating your garage door.
Routine Inspections Are Key
Routine maintenance is the first step to ensuring safe operation. Inspect the springs, cables, rollers, and tracks for wear and tear. 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 smartphone app or PIN to operate.
Knowledge Is Power
Ensure everyone in your household understands how to use the garage door safely. Teach young ones not to treat it as a toy or its mechanisms and explain the risks of tampering with moving parts. Proper training is key to ensuring safety.
Keep Features in Check
Modern garage doors are equipped with safety features like automatic reversal systems and motion sensors. 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.
Leave Repairs to the Pros
While some maintenance tasks can be DIY-friendly, repairs involving torsion mechanisms, 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.
