Summer is rapidly approaching – We’re already halfway through April, if you believe it. As such, we thought we’d share some time tested garage door safety tips to help keep your garage door operating smoothly and your loved ones safe. The garage door is one of the largest moving pieces of your home, and these simple garage door safety tips can keep it operating safely and in peak condition.
Garage Door Safety Tips
- As we’ve mentioned before, one of the most proacting things you can do is to listen for odd sounds. A jarring, loud sound may be the first sign of a worn or loose part, or a misaligned door. These issues require immediate inspection before a problem can get worse.
- Keep arms and legs inside the ride at all time! That is to say, keep your hands, feet, and fingers away from all moving parts when the garage door is in operation. Make sure pets and children are clear of the door as well. Garage doors are very heavy and they can be dangerous, and you definitely don’t want your loved ones hurt by these devices.
- On that note, we’ve all had that curiosity at some point in our lives, but it should go without saying: Do NOT attempt to hold onto the garage door as it opens and ride it off the ground. Children should be warned of this especially, as not only does this strain the motor, but it could break an extremely dangerous spring – Or in severe cases, cause the entire door to collapse.
- If you happen to bump into your garage door with your car, suck it up and call a professional to inspect your door. A false alarm is far better than risking a major misalignment, which could lead to a rapid breakdown of your springs or system’s motor. A moving vehicle, even a slow one, packs a lot of energy – So be sure to follow up on even minor dings to your door.
Security
- Always close your garage door when you leave. Bolt it shut if you plan on leaving for extended periods of time, as leaving it open could invite unwanted guests into your home. This doesn’t just apply to thieves and trespassers – Wild animals like squirrels and raccoons love to explore an unattended garage.
- As with anything potentially dangerous, be sure to store your garage door openers and any remotes well out of reach of children. If they can get to these controls, unexpected accidents can occur when you aren’t watching, and nobody wants that.
- On the subject of remotes, try to avoid storing your opener in your car. If you have to, put it somewhere hidden. Otherwise, if someone steals your car, the thief could gain access to your home through the garage.
- Keep up on your regular inspections. An unbalanced or misaligned garage door can present a serious hazard when operated, and this can place undue stress on your garage door systems, resulting in an accident. Click Here to learn more about how to properly inspect your garage door systems.
- After pressing the switch on your remote, wait a moment and take the time to make sure your garage door has closed all the way.
- If you make use of the space above your garage door as storage rafters, make sure there isn’t anything heavy sagging or weighing down on your garage door or any of its moving parts.
- If you haven’t already, install an electric eye into your garage door. These are essential devices that are mounted a few inches off the ground. When the sensor picks up anything obstructing a closing door, it will immediately reverse and open all the way.
