2024-01-01 5 min read
Your garage door is the largest moving object in your home, weighing anywhere from 150 to over 400 pounds. While modern garage doors include numerous safety features, they can still pose risks if not properly maintained and used correctly.especially in homes with curious children.
As parents and homeowners, understanding these risks and implementing proper safety practices can prevent tragic accidents. Here's everything you need to know to keep your family safe.
Every year, thousands of injuries occur involving garage doors. Common accidents include:
- Fingers caught in door sections as they fold, Injuries from doors falling due to broken springs, Entrapment under closing doors, Injuries from touching moving parts, Electric shock from improper wiring
Children are particularly vulnerable because they may not understand the dangers and can move unpredictably around the door.
Modern garage doors should include several mandated safety features. Make sure yours has:
Since 1993, all garage door openers sold in the U.S. must include an auto-reverse feature. When the door encounters an obstacle while closing, it should automatically reverse direction.
Test this monthly: Place a 2x4 board flat on the ground in the door's path. When the door touches the board while closing, it should immediately reverse. If it doesn't, your opener needs service.
These sensors project an invisible beam across the door opening near the floor. If anything breaks this beam while the door is closing, the door reverses immediately.
Maintenance tips: - Keep sensors clean and aligned, Check that the indicator lights are lit, Test monthly by waving an object through the beam during closing
The emergency release (usually a red cord) allows you to disconnect the door from the opener to operate it manually during power outages or emergencies.
Important: Store this knowledge in your family's emergency plan and show older children how to use it.
Education is your first line of defense. Teach children these important rules:
1. Never play near or under a moving garage door - It's not a game to race under a closing door.
2. Keep fingers away from door sections - The spaces between panels can pinch fingers when the door moves.
3. Don't touch the springs or cables - These are under extreme tension and dangerous.
4. Never hang on the door or handles - This can damage the door and cause falls.
5. Remotes and wall buttons are not toys - Operating the door should only be done by adults or supervised older children.
Beyond educating children, implement these safety practices:
A well-maintained door is a safer door:
- Lubricate moving parts every 6 months, Check springs, cables, and hardware for wear, Listen for unusual sounds during operation, Schedule annual professional inspections
Despite all precautions, you should know what to do in an emergency:
1. Don't panic - Quick thinking saves lives 2. Pull the emergency release to disconnect the opener 3. Lift the door manually - It may require two adults 4. Call 911 if there's any injury 5. Don't try to fix the door yourself - Call professionals
Schedule a professional inspection if you notice:
- The door doesn't reverse when it hits an obstacle, The photo-eye sensors are misaligned or not working, The door moves unevenly or makes grinding sounds, Springs, cables, or hardware show visible wear, The door doesn't fully close or open
Post this near your garage door:
☐ Monthly: Test auto-reverse with a 2x4 board ☐ Monthly: Test photo-eye sensors ☐ Monthly: Visual inspection of springs and cables ☐ Every 6 months: Lubricate moving parts ☐ Annually: Professional maintenance inspection
Your family's safety is worth the investment in proper maintenance and education. If you have concerns about your garage door's safety features or need a professional inspection, our team at Garage Door Cathedral City is here to help.