TL;DR – 6 Safety Tips for New Garage Door Owners
- Learn your garage door opener’s features, safety functions, and emergency release.
- Keep children away from the garage door and reinforce safety rules often.
- Store remote controls securely and out of reach of children or unauthorized users.
- Never leave the garage door cracked open for pets—use safer alternatives instead.
- Test your safety sensors and reverse mechanism regularly.
- Schedule routine professional maintenance to prevent dangerous malfunctions.
If you’re a first-time garage door owner, it’s important to understand that garage doors can be hazardous when they’re not used or maintained properly. By adopting safe habits early, you can protect yourself, your family, and your property. Here are six essential ways to practice safe garage door management.
Learn How to Operate Your Garage Door
Start by reading the owner’s manual that came with your opener. If you no longer have it, contact the manufacturer for a digital or printed replacement. Every opener model has unique features, codes, and operating methods, so understanding the specifics is crucial.
The manual includes important information such as:
- How to activate the emergency release
- How to start, stop, and reverse the door
- How to lock or disable the opener
- How the sensors and safety beams work
- Warning signs of mechanical problems
Make sure all responsible adults and older children in the home understand these basics, including how to safely use the remote and emergency release.
Make the Garage a No-Go Zone for Kids
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, garage doors cause roughly 30,000 accidental injuries each year. To prevent incidents, keep kids away from the garage whenever possible.
Instead of storing bikes and scooters inside the garage—where kids may be tempted to dart under a moving door—create an outdoor storage spot for their gear. If children must be near the garage, closely supervise them and reinforce rules about staying clear of moving doors.
Keep the Remote in a Safe Spot
Garage door remotes are small and easy for children to access—and misuse. A remote left on a kitchen counter, in a car seat, or visible inside a vehicle can be activated at the wrong time or stolen for future access.
Store remotes in secure, out-of-reach locations, especially if you have young children or family members with cognitive impairments. Never leave a remote in plain view inside your car. Hide it in the glove box, under a seat, or in another concealed location. Extra remotes should be kept locked away and deactivated if not in use.
Accommodate Pets Safely
Many pet owners leave their garage door open a few inches to let dogs or cats come and go. While convenient, this creates major security risks. Burglars can manipulate a slightly open door, and wildlife or pests may enter your garage. Rain and snow can also blow in and cause damage.
A safer approach is installing a pet door in a standard side or back garage door. If your garage has no secondary entry, consider creating a separate outdoor shelter for pets so you can keep the main garage door fully closed.
Test the Garage Door Periodically
Your garage door’s safety mechanisms should be tested regularly—many experts recommend doing so monthly. To check the auto-reverse feature, place a roll of paper towels, a stuffed toy, or a wooden board in the door’s path. If the door does not reverse immediately upon contact, it’s unsafe and needs professional servicing.
Schedule Routine Garage Door Maintenance
Routine inspections help ensure all components of your garage door system are functioning properly. Hinges, rollers, sensors, and other parts may require periodic lubrication or adjustments.
If the door sticks, vibrates, behaves unpredictably, or makes unusual noises, call a professional promptly. Never attempt to adjust torsion or extension springs yourself—these components are under extreme tension and can cause severe injury.
For reliable garage door service and safety support in Central Pennsylvania, contact Shank Door today.
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