As convenient as it is to have an extra storage area and a covered parking space, those benefits become liabilities when proper garage safety practices are not adhered to. With garage doors being the heaviest and largest moving piece of your home, accidents are unfortunately common incidents in many households. From an ill-fitting section of the door falling out, to malfunctioning automatic doors and openers, these security risks require extra safety measures to prevent possible accidents.
In this article, we share some effective garage door safety tips to help keep you and your family safe from garage door related accidents.
Visual inspection
While you may not be an expert on garage doors, periodically checking them goes a long way in avoiding functional accidents or mishaps. Keep an eye out for signs of wear and tear that could emerge in the form of loose springs, rollers, pulleys, cord, bolts cables, or other hardware. Leaving these issues undealt with will not only compromise your garage door’s efficiency but also its safety level. It is imperative to note that you should not attempt to remove, adjust or repair these parts or anything attached to them yourself. Instead, contact your garage door technician to conduct a repair as soon as possible.
Test the reverse and other functions
The reverse safety feature was added to garage doors to ensure an immediate and automatic reverse when encountering an obstacle. The following are tests that should be conducted monthly to ensure an overall optimal condition;
- Test the auto-reverse. Place a 2 x 4 board on the path of the door. A well-functioning garage door should bounce back immediately after sensing the item in its pathway. However, if the door does not reverse or react to the presence of the object, this could mean the sensors are out of order.
- Test the force. To physically test the pressure exerted by the door, grasp the base of the door as it closes and push upwards. Your garage door should stop when encountering resistance.
- Test the balance. Using the release mechanism, lift the garage door by hand. A well-balanced door should stay in place, supported entirely by its springs. However, if the door is resistant, does not lift smoothly, or won’t remain open 3 to 4 feet above the floor, it’s likely out of balance.
It’s only natural that your garage doors need repair over time, but you definitely want to be aware of any faults in functioning as soon as possible. So, make sure to contact a qualified garage door professional for an immediate maintenance inspection and repair.
Ensure openers, release lever or buttons out of reach or hidden
One of the most important garage safety tips is to keep your door opener out of the wrong hands. An automatic door in your garage can easily cause harm if children gain access to the door openers or buttons. The following are some tips to keep your children safe when in the garage;
- Do not allow your child to hang off the door
- Remove or securely store anything that can be scaled (E.g., ladders, stools, etc.)
- Make sure your child understands that a garage door is not a toy
- Do not let your child play with the remote controls
- Constantly monitor your child when in or around the garage
Do not leave the doors ajar
Oftentimes, home owners leave their garage doors open to cool down the space or allow the easy access of pets. But by doing so, you may put your loved ones and valuables at risk by inviting the presence of household pests or even burglars. A partially open garage door is also in danger of closing on something or someone if it gets activated again.
Keeping a garage in optimum working condition will not only protect the contents of your garage, and your household, but it will also keep members of your family safe. Looking for a garage roller door in Adelaide? With almost 50 years’ experience serving the region, AllStyle Garage Doors & Window Shutters is South Australia’s most trusted installer and repairer. Get in touch with the friendly team today for high-quality B&D roller doors at an affordable price.