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 ensure safe use, follow these essential 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 wear and tear. Look out for strange sounds or uneven motion, which could indicate a problem. Addressing these issues early can stop hazards and costly repairs.
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.
Knowledge Is Power
Ensure everyone in your household understands how to use the garage door safely. Teach young ones not to play near the door or its mechanisms and explain the dangers of tampering with the system. Proper training is key to preventing accidents.
Keep Features in Check
Modern garage doors are equipped with safety features like auto-reverse 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.
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 trained technicians. These components are under high tension and can cause serious injury if mishandled.
