Garage Door Safety Tips Every Family Should Know
2023-12-20 Mike Johnson
Garage doors are the largest and heaviest moving objects in most homes. While modern garage doors include multiple safety features, accidents can still occur. Understanding proper safety practices protects your family and ensures your garage door remains an asset rather than a hazard.
Understanding the Risks
A standard two-car garage door weighs between 300-400 pounds. When in motion, this weight can cause serious injury or even death if it comes into contact with a person, especially a child. The springs that counterbalance this weight are under extreme tension, and the moving parts can pinch, crush, or entrap.
Each year, approximately 30,000 garage door-related injuries are treated in emergency rooms, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Many of these injuries are preventable with proper awareness and maintenance.
Essential Safety Rules for Families
Never Walk Under a Moving Door
Wait for the door to fully open or close before walking or driving under it. Even with safety features, mechanical failures can occur. Make this an absolute rule that everyone in your household follows without exception.
Keep Remotes Away from Children
Garage door remotes should be treated like car keys.not toys. Store them out of reach of young children and teach older children that they're not for play. The button shouldn't be pressed unless an adult is supervising the door's operation.
Maintain Visual Contact
Always watch the garage door throughout its entire travel. Don't press the button and walk away. If something goes wrong, you need to be able to stop the door immediately using the wall button or opener.
Keep Fingers Clear
Modern garage doors have pinch-resistant sections, but older doors can trap fingers between panels as they fold. Teach children to never place fingers near the door sections, and consider upgrading to pinch-resistant panels if you have an older door.
Secure the Emergency Release
The emergency release cord (usually red) allows manual operation during power outages. However, in some positions, this cord can be reached from outside the closed door and used to break in. Secure the cord high and consider emergency release shields if security is a concern.
Testing Safety Features
Monthly Photo-Eye Test
The photo-eye sensors at the bottom of your door frame should reverse the door if broken by an object, person, or pet. Test monthly by: 1. Start closing the garage door 2. Wave a broom handle through the sensor beam 3. The door should immediately stop and reverse
If it doesn't, clean the sensors and check alignment. If problems persist, call a professional.
Monthly Auto-Reverse Test
Place a 2x4 flat on the ground in the door's path. When the closing door contacts the board, it should stop and reverse. If the door pushes against the board or doesn't reverse, the closing force needs adjustment.contact a professional.
Visual Spring Inspection
Look at your springs (never touch them). Healthy springs should have tightly wound coils with no visible gaps, rust, or damage. If you notice gaps in the coils or significant corrosion, schedule professional inspection.
Childproofing Your Garage
Wall Button Height
The wall-mounted door control should be at least 5 feet from the floor.out of reach of young children. If yours is lower, have it relocated.
Education
Teach children that the garage door is not a toy. Explain the dangers simply but seriously. Never let children "race" under a closing door or play near the door while it's in operation.
Supervision
Young children should never be in the garage unsupervised, especially while the door is operating. Consider installing motion sensors or cameras to alert you if a child enters the garage.
Emergency Preparedness
Know How to Use the Emergency Release
Everyone in your household should know how to operate the emergency release cord. This allows manual operation if there's a power outage or opener failure. Practice using it periodically so you're prepared in an emergency.
Know Where the Opener Is Plugged In
In case of emergency, you may need to quickly disconnect power to the opener. Know which outlet it uses and how to access it.
Have Emergency Contacts Ready
Keep your garage door service company's number accessible. In an emergency.like someone trapped under a door or a complete door failure.you'll need professional help quickly.
When to Call a Professional
Safety-critical repairs should never be DIY projects: - Spring replacement or adjustment, Cable repair or replacement, Opener safety feature malfunctions, Door off track, Any situation where safety features aren't working
Your Partner in Garage Door Safety
At Garage Door Whittier, we take safety seriously. Our technicians are trained to identify and address safety concerns during every service call. We can perform safety inspections, upgrade older doors with modern safety features, and ensure your garage door protects rather than endangers your family.
Contact us at (424) 999-7255 for a safety inspection or to address any concerns about your garage door system.