10 Garage Door Safety Tips for Families
Is your garage door giving you trouble or making you worry about your kids' safety?
We get it. In theory, installing a new garage door is a fantastic investment that enhances your home's security and functionality. However, this investment also requires proper care to maximize its benefits and keep it safe for kiddos and adults alike.
All-Pro Quality Garage Doors offers a range of services, including repairs, maintenance, and installations, to help you keep your garage door in excellent condition. With over 30 years of experience, All-Pro QGD is committed to keeping your garage door working seamlessly day after day.
Stick around for some fun and practical tips from the pros to keep your family safe around the garage door.
1. Perform Regular Inspections
Regular maintenance is crucial to prevent many common issues. Now, there are plenty of maintenance tasks that need to be performed by a professional, but there are several things you can do on the DIY side to look for signs of issues.
Check for Frayed Garage Door Cables and Loose Bolts
Worn out garage door cables and wobbly bolts can compromise the integrity of your garage door if left unchecked. Regularly inspecting these components helps prevent potential accidents. Homeowners can perform visual inspections and gently tug on cables to check for any looseness or wear.
Inspect for Rust and Damage
Rust - which is a big problem when you live near the coast - can weaken the metal parts of your garage door, leading to malfunction. Regularly inspecting for rust and other damage helps maintain the door’s strength. Homeowners can use a rust remover and a cloth to clean affected areas. Lubricating moving parts after cleaning can prevent future rust buildup.
Schedule Annual Professional Maintenance
Technicians can identify and fix issues that might be missed during routine homeowner inspections. Scheduling this annual check-up is a proactive step to keep your garage door functioning safely and efficiently.
Checking your garage door regularly for any signs of wear and tear prevents unexpected failures and accidents.
2. Educate Your Family
Make sure all family members, especially children, understand the ground rules of garage door safety. Explain the dangers of playing near the door and the importance of staying clear when it is in motion.
Some key roles to follow include:
- Never Walk or Stand Under a Moving Door
Emphasize the importance of never walking or standing under a moving garage door. Make sure everyone understands the risks and always wait until the door is fully open or closed before passing through.
- Keep Fingers and Hands Clear of Door Sections
Teach family members to keep their fingers and hands away from door sections, especially when the door is closing. Pinching injuries is a common issue - and it’s easily avoidable.
- Educate on Emergency Release
Teach all family members to operate the garage door’s emergency release mechanism. This is crucial in case of power failures or if the door malfunctions, allowing for manual operation and safe exit from the garage.
By following these general safety rules, you will both prolong the life of your garage door and create safer environment where everyone is aware of potential hazards (and how to avoid them).
3. Test the Auto-Reverse Feature
Modern garage doors come with an auto-reverse feature that stops and reverses the door if it detects an obstruction. The auto-reverse feature is a principal component of the garage door system.
Per the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, this feature has been required on all garage door openers manufactured after January 1, 1993.
Testing the auto-reverse feature is simple and only requires two steps:
- Place an object in the door’s path.
- Make sure the door reverses upon contact.
If the door doesn’t reverse upon contact, call a professional to repair it.
4. Keep the Remote Control Out of Reach
Store remote controls and wall buttons out of children’s reach. This prevents accidental operation - which can lead to injuries.
Consider using a keypad entry system that requires a code, making it more difficult for children to access. Additionally, it’s important to know how to operate the garage door manually in case of an emergency, such as a power outage. Check your guidebook or contact a professional for more information on this.
5. Avoid Leaving the Door Partially Open
A moving garage door can suddenly close if left partially open, leading to potential injuries if you or anyone else are in its way. It also compromises your home’s security by allowing easy access for intruders.
Additionally, leaving the garage door partially open can add stress to the springs and cables, as well as attract animals and bugs.
Fully opening or closing the door comes down to safety and security. Make sure your family gets in the habit of fully closing your garage door to protect both your family and your home from outside elements.
6. Teach Finger Safety
To expand on a previous point, teaching children and adults to keep their fingers away from door sections when it is closing is extremely important. Many modern doors have pinch protection features, but caution is always necessary to avoid injuries.
Key points on finger safety:
- Demonstrate Safe Practices: Show children exactly where they should not place their fingers.
- Explain the Dangers: Discuss the risks of getting fingers caught in the closing mechanisms.
- Install Pinch Protection: Use doors with built-in pinch protection features.
A sense of awareness and caution can significantly reduce the risk of injuries. It may seem simple, but finger pinches are one of the most common garage door accidents.
7. Secure the Door During Vacation
Before heading out on vacation, it’s important to take extra precautions with your garage door to protect your home while you’re away.
Here are some easy steps to enhance your security:
- Unplug the Garage Door Opener: simple actions such as this prevents anyone from using a remote control to open the door.
- Use a Vacation Lock Console Security Switch: This device disables the garage door opener, adding an extra layer of security. It is an accessory offered with most garage door openers.
By following these measures, you can relax on your vacation knowing your garage door is secure.
8. Install Motion Sensor Lights
Brightening up your garage area with motion sensor lights does more than just improve aesthetics. These lights are energy-efficient and significantly enhance safety.
Motion sensor lights automatically turn on when they detect movement, offering several advantages, such as:
- Deter Intruders: Unexpected lights can scare off potential intruders by drawing attention to their presence.
- Illuminate the Area at Night: Providing automatic lighting during dark hours helps prevent trips and falls.
Good lighting reduces the risk of nighttime accidents and improves overall comfortability around your garage.
9. Install a Safety Cable
Safety cables are a smart way to prevent injuries if a garage door spring breaks.
These cables are designed to keep broken spring pieces from becoming dangerous projectiles. They also help prevent damage and injury by containing debris.
Installing safety cables is relatively straightforward and if you're handy with tools. But if you're not comfortable doing it yourself, calling in a professional is always a good idea. Plus, it's a small investment that can save you from big headaches down the road.
10. Keep the Area Clear
A cluttered garage can lead to various safety issues, especially around the door.
Tripping over misplaced items can result in injuries, and obstructions can interfere with the door's operation, potentially damaging the mechanism. Clutter can also hide hazards like sharp tools or chemicals, posing additional risks that no one wants.
A tidy garage area not only looks better - it makes sure that the garage door functions properly, keeping everyone safe from potential dangers.
We're All About Garage Door Safety
Teaching your family about garage door safety is more than just a precaution — it's about protecting your investment AND those you love.
Implementing these safety tips helps create a more secure home environment around a heavy piece of machinery. At All-Pro Quality Garage Doors we are dedicated to your family's safety and well-being.
For quality assistance and service, visit All-Pro QGD and let us help you keep your garage door safe and reliable.
Contact us today to schedule a service!