2023-12-20 7 min read Lisa Thompson
The garage door is the largest and heaviest moving object in most homes, weighing anywhere from 130 to over 400 pounds depending on size and material. While modern garage doors include numerous safety features, it's crucial for homeowners.especially those with children and pets.to understand potential hazards and take steps to ensure safe operation.
Garage doors present several potential safety hazards: - Crush injuries: The door's weight can cause serious injury if it closes on someone - Entrapment: Children or pets can become trapped in spaces near the door - Pinch points: Fingers can be caught in door sections or between rollers and tracks - Spring tension: The springs that counterbalance the door are under extreme tension
According to safety statistics, thousands of people are injured by garage doors each year, with children under 14 being particularly vulnerable. Understanding these risks is the first step toward prevention.
Since 1993, all garage door openers sold in the United States must include auto-reverse features. Photo-eye sensors located near the floor detect obstructions and reverse the door before contact.
Monthly Testing: Place a roll of paper towels or a similar object in the door's path. The door should reverse upon detecting the obstruction. If it doesn't, contact a professional immediately.
In addition to photo-eye sensors, the door should reverse if it encounters physical resistance during closing.
Testing: Place a 2x4 flat on the floor in the door's path. When the door touches the board, it should reverse. Adjust the opener's force settings or call a professional if this test fails.
If your door uses extension springs (the springs that run along the horizontal tracks), they should have safety cables running through them. These cables prevent a broken spring from flying across the garage.
Teach children that the garage door is not a toy: - Never play "beat the door" by running under a closing door, Never place fingers near door sections, hinges, or tracks, Never hang on the door handle or try to lift the door, Always stand clear when the door is moving, Never try to stop a moving door
Garage door remotes should be treated like keys: - Keep wall-mounted controls at least 5 feet from the floor, out of children's reach, Don't let children play with remote controls, Consider smart controls that allow monitoring and control from your smartphone
Make sure you can see the entire door area when operating it: - Keep the area around the door clear of obstructions, Never operate the door if you can't see underneath it, Wait until the door fully opens or closes before walking or driving away
A well-maintained door is a safer door: - Schedule annual professional inspections, Keep tracks, rollers, and springs lubricated, Tighten loose hardware, Replace worn weather stripping, Address unusual noises or movements immediately
Pets face similar risks to children: - Train pets to stay away from the door when it's moving, Check for pets before operating the door, Consider a pet door if pets frequently need garage access, Keep garage toxic substances (antifreeze, chemicals) out of reach
Everyone who uses the garage should know how to use the emergency release: - The red cord hanging from the opener rail disengages the door from the opener, This allows manual operation during power outages or emergencies, Practice using it while the door is closed, Know that a partially open door may fall when disconnected
Contact a garage door professional immediately if: - Safety sensors aren't working properly, The door won't reverse on obstruction, Springs appear worn, rusty, or damaged, The door is difficult to open or close, You hear unusual sounds during operation, The door moves unevenly
At Garage Door Paramount, safety is our top priority. We can inspect your garage door, test all safety features, and make any necessary repairs or adjustments. Call us at (562) 379-5558 to schedule a safety inspection.