Garage doors are common features in the United States, with about 80% of American homes including a garage. They’re known for their convenience, given the amount of storage space that garages hold for cars and other miscellaneous items. Garage doors are also linked to increased curb appeal since they make up about ⅓ of the home’s exterior. Recent styles and materials have favored bolder garage doors that add unique contrast to the home. Modern garage doors may be constructed of steel or glass, paired with black and gray colors for simplicity and elegance.
Families who own garage doors are likely to use the garage as the number one entrance to their home. This vastly increases the number of times the garage door is used. Over time, it’s common for garage door hardware to experience wear and tear, which can lead to damage. Because garage doors are such large features, it’s important to be aware of safety protocols you should follow. Given the likelihood that kids will be around your garage door when it’s moving, you need to be sure your garage is safe and functioning well.
Research has shown that there are around 30,000 injuries a year caused by garage doors, with most of these injuries impacting kids. For your peace of mind, it’s best to brush up on safety procedures and ensure you’re taking garage door safety seriously. To help you be prepared, let’s run through some tips for garage door safety.
Garage Door Safety Tips
Educate Your Kids
Talk with your children about the importance of being careful around the garage door. We understand that it can be tempting to let your kids use the garage door remotes to play with, but we strongly discourage this. It’s possible that they’ll play with the remote when you’re not around. Keep the garage door remotes in a safe place where kids cannot reach them.
Understand Safety Features
Garage doors come with safety features meant to prevent injuries. You want to become familiar with them, especially so that you know when there’s a problem. The first feature you should be aware of is the emergency cord that hangs from the garage door opener. If this cord is pulled, it will disconnect the opener from the door. If you’re having trouble with the garage door, you can quickly pull this. It will also allow you to open the door manually if you lose power.
Another important feature is the safety sensors. These sensors sit near the floor on either side of the garage. Their job is to detect anything underneath the garage door. If something is moving or lying under the door, they’ll signal to the opener and cause it to reverse. This is especially important if you have kids or pets that play inside the garage. However, there are times when the safety sensors may become misaligned or covered in debris, which impacts their ability to function. If this happens, the garage door shouldn’t be able to move. You can test your safety sensors by waving a large object under it as it moves. If the door doesn’t stop, the safety sensors aren’t working and need to be repaired immediately.
Watch the Door in Motion
One of our most important tips: never walk under a moving door. This may seem obvious, but you would be surprised how many times people duck under an opening or closing door. This can teach your kids bad habits and confuse your safety sensors. If you cut it too close, it could also result in serious injury.
You should also watch the door while it’s in motion to ensure it opens and closes correctly. If you have a garage door that’s reversing or stopping midway, it needs to be repaired.
Schedule Annual Maintenance
At least once a year, it’s important to schedule garage door maintenance. Most garage companies offer tune-ups, which include a thorough inspection of the garage and servicing of garage door hardware. This can greatly expand the lifespan of your garage door parts and allow them to function better. A door balance test is also performed, which is crucial in determining if the garage door is properly balanced. If you have annual garage door tune-ups, you can rest assured that your garage door is working properly and safely.
Monthly Visual Inspection
For your part in garage door maintenance, listed below are a couple of steps you can take. If you notice anything strange, schedule garage door repair service.
- Keep the garage door clean! Rust and debris can accumulate in the garage, which can affect garage door hardware.
- Inspect your garage door springs to ensure they’re in good condition.
- Check for any loose or fallen parts and also listen for any abnormal, grinding noises.
Come See Us!
850 Mayfield Rd 101C Milton GA 30009
Need Garage Door Service?
Aaron Overhead Doors offers garage door maintenance, installation, and repairs to Buford and Milton, GA! With safety as our top priority, we handle garage door service with efficiency and professionalism. If you need to schedule a garage door tune-up, our technicians are well-trained in offering excellent maintenance services. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!
Call or Text For Repair Service 678-960-3360
