Your overhead garage door is an essential part of your home, offering convenience and peace of mind. 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 first step to ensuring safe operation. Inspect the 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 early can prevent accidents and costly repairs.
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 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 treat it as a toy or its mechanisms and explain the dangers of tampering with the system. Proper training is key to ensuring safety.
Keep Features in Check
Modern garage doors are equipped with safety features like automatic reversal systems and obstacle detection. Test these features on a schedule 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.
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 high tension and can cause severe harm if mishandled.
