Your overhead garage door is an essential part of your home, offering convenience and peace of mind. However, improper use or lack of maintenance can lead to dangerous situations. To ensure safe use, 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 springs, wires, rollers, and rails for signs of damage. Look out for unusual noises 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 security tool. Keep it out of reach of children and store it in a safe place when not in use. For added security, consider a modern opener system that requires a smartphone app or PIN to operate.
3. Educating Family Members
Ensure everyone in your household knows how to use the garage door safely. Teach young ones not to play near the door or its mechanisms and explain the risks of tampering with the system. Clear communication is key to ensuring safety.
Keep Features in Check
Modern garage doors are equipped with safety features like auto-reverse 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.
5. Avoiding DIY Repairs
While some maintenance tasks can be handled on your own, repairs involving springs, 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.
