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 dangerous situations. To ensure safe use, follow these essential safety tips for operating your garage door.
Inspecting Your Door Frequently
Routine maintenance is the first step to ensuring safe operation. Inspect the torsion springs, wires, rollers, and rails for wear and tear. Look out for strange sounds or uneven motion, which could indicate a problem. Addressing these issues promptly can prevent accidents and expensive fixes.
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 securely when not in use. For added security, consider a smart garage door opener that requires a digital key or PIN to operate.
Safe Practices for the Household
Ensure everyone in your household understands how to use the garage door safely. Teach children not to treat it as a toy or its mechanisms and explain the dangers of tampering with the system. Clear communication 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 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 service check.
5. Avoiding DIY Repairs
While some maintenance tasks can be DIY-friendly, repairs involving torsion mechanisms, wires, or the opener mechanism should always be left to professionals. These components are under extreme stress and can cause severe harm if mishandled.
