5 min read Stoneham Garage Door Team
Garage doors are an essential part of daily life for most families, but they can pose serious safety risks if not properly maintained and operated. As one of the largest and heaviest moving objects in your home, understanding garage door safety is crucial for protecting your loved ones. Here are essential safety tips every family should follow.
Before diving into safety tips, it's important to understand why garage door safety matters. A typical residential garage door weighs between 150 and 400 pounds. The springs that lift this weight are under extreme tension. The door's movement can cause serious injury if someone is caught beneath it. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, thousands of people are injured by garage doors each year.
Modern garage doors come equipped with several safety features. Make sure yours has these and that they're working properly:
Since 1993, all garage doors manufactured in the United States must have an auto-reverse feature. This causes the door to reverse direction if it encounters an obstruction while closing. Test this monthly by placing a 2x4 flat on the ground where the door closes.the door should reverse upon contact.
These sensors, mounted about 6 inches above the ground on either side of the door, create an invisible beam. If the beam is broken while the door is closing, the door should stop and reverse. Test these monthly by waving an object (like a broomstick) in front of the sensors while the door is closing.
Every automatic garage door should have a manual release that allows you to disconnect the door from the opener. This is essential during power outages and emergencies. Make sure all family members know where it is and how to use it.
Educating children about garage door safety is essential. Establish and enforce these rules:
- Never play near or under the garage door, Never race the closing door, Keep fingers away from the sections of the door, especially when it's moving, Never touch the springs, cables, or other hardware, Never play with the remote control or wall button, Tell an adult immediately if the door makes unusual sounds or moves strangely
Consider mounting the wall button at least 5 feet high, out of reach of young children. Store remote controls where children cannot access them.
Proper maintenance is a key component of garage door safety:
Look at the springs, cables, rollers, pulleys, and other door hardware for signs of wear. Don't attempt to adjust or repair springs or cables yourself.these are under high tension and require professional service.
Pay attention to how your door sounds. Grinding, scraping, or squealing noises indicate problems that should be addressed by a professional.
Proper lubrication keeps the door operating smoothly and reduces wear on components. Use a garage door-specific lubricant on rollers, hinges, and tracks (but not on nylon rollers).
Disconnect the opener and manually lift the door about halfway. If it doesn't stay put, the springs may need adjustment. This should only be done by a professional.
Know what to do in emergency situations:
Learn how to use the manual release to operate your door without power. Practice this before you need it.
If someone is caught under the door, try to lift it manually if possible. Call 911 for assistance. Never attempt to cut springs or cables.
If there's a fire in your home, do not open the garage door. Opening it could feed oxygen to the fire and cause it to spread rapidly.
Some garage door issues require professional attention:
- Broken springs or cables, Door off track, Opener malfunctions, Safety feature failures, Unusual noises or movements, Any situation where you feel unsafe
At Garage Door Company Stoneham, we prioritize your family's safety. Our technicians are trained to identify and address safety issues, and we offer comprehensive safety inspections to ensure your door is operating as it should. Don't take chances with your family's safety.contact us for a professional evaluation.