2024-12-20 6 min read Mike Johnson
Your garage door is the largest moving object in your home, weighing 150 to 400 pounds or more. While modern garage doors include numerous safety features, they still cause thousands of injuries each year, including some that are severe or fatal. Here's what every family needs to know to stay safe.
Before diving into safety tips, it's important to understand the risks:
- A closing garage door exerts significant force.enough to cause serious injury or death, Garage door springs are under extreme tension and can cause severe injury if they break, Children and pets are particularly vulnerable because they may not recognize the danger, Fingers can be caught in sections between panels as the door closes
These aren't meant to scare you but to emphasize why safety awareness matters. With proper precautions, you can minimize these risks and keep your family safe.
Children should be taught from an early age that the garage door is not a toy. Here are key lessons to share:
Never stand, run, or play under a moving garage door. This is the most important rule. Even if the door looks like it will clear them, children should wait until it's completely open or closed.
Never touch the door while it's moving. The sections can pinch fingers as they articulate.
Never play with the wall button or remotes. These are not toys, and activating the door when someone is nearby is dangerous.
Keep fingers away from the hinges and section joints. These areas can pinch and cause serious injury.
Never try to race under a closing door. This is a common but dangerous game that can result in injury.
Garage door remotes should be treated like tools, not toys. Keep them:
- In a secure location, not lying around where children can access them, Out of sight in your car to prevent theft, Programmed only on vehicles you control
If you have wall-mounted controls, consider installing them at least five feet high.out of reach of young children.
Modern garage door openers have two key safety features that should be tested monthly:
1. Place a 2x4 flat on the ground in the door's path 2. Press the button to close the door 3. When the door contacts the board, it should immediately reverse 4. If it doesn't reverse, the opener's force settings need adjustment
1. Begin closing the garage door 2. Wave an object (like a broom) through the sensor beam near the floor 3. The door should stop and reverse immediately 4. Also check that the sensor lights are illuminated
If either test fails, do not use the door until the issue is repaired. Call a professional immediately.
When operating your garage door, always:
- Keep the door in sight until it's completely closed, Check that no one is near the door before pressing the button, Make eye contact with family members to ensure they're clear
Never walk away and assume the door will close safely.
Monthly visual inspections can catch problems before they become dangerous:
Cables: Look for fraying, rust, or damage. Never touch cables.they're under high tension Springs: Look for gaps in the coils or obvious damage Rollers: Check for cracks or chips Tracks: Look for damage, misalignment, or debris Hardware: Check for loose bolts or screws Weatherstripping: Ensure it's intact and sealing properly
If you notice any issues, don't use the door until a professional has inspected it.
This cannot be emphasized enough: never attempt to repair or adjust garage door springs yourself. These components are under extreme tension.enough to cause severe injury or death if they release unexpectedly.
Signs of spring problems include: - A door that won't stay up when released, A door that feels unusually heavy, Gaps in the spring coils, Loud bang from the garage (often indicates a broken spring)
If you suspect a spring problem, call a professional immediately and don't use the door.
Every family member old enough to drive should know how to use the emergency release:
1. Locate the red cord hanging from the opener trolley 2. Pull the cord to disconnect the door from the opener 3. Manually lift or lower the door 4. To reconnect, simply operate the door with the opener
This knowledge is essential during power outages or if someone becomes trapped.
An unbalanced door puts extra strain on the opener and can be dangerous if the springs fail. Test your door's balance annually:
1. Disconnect the opener using the emergency release 2. Manually lift the door about halfway 3. Let go (carefully) 4. A balanced door will stay in place or move only slightly 5. If the door falls or rises, the springs need professional adjustment
Maintain a clear zone around your garage door:
- Don't store items near the door's path, Keep toys, bikes, and equipment away from the door area, Trim bushes or plants that might obstruct visibility, Ensure good lighting so you can see the door and surrounding area
Annual professional maintenance is your best insurance against safety problems. A trained technician will:
- Test all safety features, Inspect and adjust springs, Check cables and hardware, Lubricate moving parts, Ensure proper opener settings
At Garage Door Eaton Park, our technicians are trained to identify potential safety issues and keep your door operating reliably. Contact us to schedule your annual safety inspection and tune-up.
Remember: a few minutes of attention to safety can prevent a lifetime of regret. Take garage door safety seriously, and teach your family to do the same.