Your overhead garage door is an essential part of your home, offering convenience and security. However, improper use or lack of care can lead to safety hazards. To protect your family and property, follow these practical safety tips for operating your garage door.
Keep Your Door in Check
Routine maintenance is the foundation to ensuring safe operation. Inspect the torsion springs, wires, wheels, and tracks 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.
2. Keeping Remote Controls Secure
Treat your garage door remote control like a house key. Keep it out of reach of little ones and store it securely when not in use. For added security, consider a modern opener system that requires a digital key or PIN to operate.
Knowledge Is Power
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 risks of tampering with the system. Clear communication is key to ensuring safety.
4. Testing Safety Features
Modern garage doors are equipped with safety features like automatic reversal systems and motion sensors. 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 torsion mechanisms, wires, or the opener mechanism should always be left to professionals. These components are under high tension and can cause severe harm if mishandled.
