TL;DR – 6 Ways to Improve Garage Door Safety
- Garage doors aren’t dangerous on their own, but improper use or worn components can lead to serious injuries.
- Keep fingers away from pinch points and always use designated handles when operating the door manually.
- Inspect cables regularly for rust, fraying, or wear and replace them professionally if needed.
- Test safety sensors often to ensure the auto-reverse feature works properly.
- Have your garage door’s balance checked to avoid uneven movement and track issues.
- Leave all spring adjustments and replacements to trained technicians to prevent severe injuries.
It may be hard to imagine your garage door as a potential safety risk, but under the right circumstances, it can cause serious injuries. Every year, malfunctions and simple user mistakes send countless people to the emergency room. While garage doors aren’t inherently dangerous, they do require careful use and routine attention. The tips below will help you keep your garage door functioning safely and reliably.
KEEP YOUR HANDS AND FINGERS AWAY FROM PINCH POINTS
Your garage door contains several joints and tight spaces—particularly where panels connect—that can easily become pinch points. Many homeowners accidentally place their fingers between the sections while pulling the door down manually, which can result in painful injuries.
If you ever need to open or close the door by hand, always use the designated handles or grip points recommended by the manufacturer. Avoid placing your fingers near hinges, cables, or other moving parts that could trap or crush them.
KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR GARAGE DOOR CABLE
Garage door cables weaken over time from regular use. Rust, fraying, or kinks can compromise their strength, making them prone to failure. Since these cables help support the weight of your door, damaged ones can become a serious hazard.
If your cables look worn or damaged, have them replaced by a professional as soon as possible to avoid sudden failure.
MAINTAIN AND TEST YOUR SAFETY SENSORS
A typical garage door weighs between 250 and 400 pounds—a significant amount of weight to come down on someone or something. Thankfully, nearly all modern openers include an auto-reverse feature with infrared safety sensors that prevent the door from closing when something is in its path.
To ensure this feature continues working properly, test your sensors regularly and keep them free of dirt or debris. If the sensors are obstructed or misaligned, the door may reverse unexpectedly or fail to detect objects in its way.
HAVE YOUR GARAGE DOOR’S BALANCE CHECKED
Proper balance is essential for safe garage door operation. Over time, spring tension can shift, causing one side of the door to drop lower than the other. This imbalance can make the door stick, strain the opener, or even cause the door to drift open unexpectedly.
If your garage door looks uneven or feels difficult to open and close, have a technician inspect and rebalance it. Restoring proper balance helps prevent accidents and extends the life of your components.
LEAVE SPRING-RELATED REPAIRS TO THE EXPERTS
It can be tempting to adjust or replace your own garage door springs, but these components are extremely dangerous to handle without proper training. Torsion springs, in particular, are under intense tension and can cause severe injuries if they snap or release unexpectedly.
If your springs need maintenance or replacement, leave the job to a qualified technician. They have the tools and expertise to handle them safely and correctly.
Don’t Skip Out on Regularly-Scheduled Maintenance
Skipping routine maintenance not only increases safety risks—it can also shorten the lifespan of your garage door. A well-built, well-maintained door can last for decades, so it’s wise to schedule a professional inspection at least once a year.
For more tips on garage door safety, reach out to the knowledgeable team at Shank Door today.
Trackback from your site.