Your garage door is one of the largest moving objects in your home. It is also one of the heaviest, weighing in at over 400 pounds in some cases. While having a working garage door is essential for today’s fast-paced lifestyle, you need to ensure you are using it safely. Here are some garage door safety tips that every homeowner should know to prevent accidents and injuries.
Regular Maintenance
Performing regular maintenance on your garage door is essential and should be done at least once a year or more often if necessary. You should regularly check the door’s pieces, including the rollers, cables, springs, and pulleys, for wear and tear. Replace any damaged or worn parts immediately, and never try to replace or fix them on your own. Always seek help from a professional garage door repair service. Additionally, you should always lubricate your garage door’s moving parts with high-quality lubricant when you notice signs of resistance or squeaking noises, which indicates that the system needs lubrication.
Test the Door’s Safety Features
Your garage door is equipped with many safety features that are designed to prevent accidents and injuries. These features come in handy, especially when kids are around. One feature is the photoelectric sensor, also known as the “eye,” located near the bottom of the door. This sensor detects obstructions and prevents the door from closing on a person or object in the door’s path. To test this feature, place an item in the door’s path and try to close the door. If the door doesn’t reverse, then the “eye” needs adjustment or maintenance. Another safety feature is the door’s auto-reverse mechanism that stops the garage door from closing when it hits an obstruction. Test this feature every month by placing a brick or another sturdy object in the door’s path and try to close it. The door should reverse automatically.
Warning Signs
Being familiar with the warning signs of a problematic garage door is an excellent way to keep your family safe. Some warning signs to watch out for include your door making loud grinding or squeaking sounds, which may indicate hard-to-move parts and thus require lubrication. The door also dips or rises on one side only when it is opening or closing, which indicates unequal tension in the springs. Furthermore, if you see cables or springs hanging down from the door, do not attempt to fix it on your own. Such issues could cause property damage or injuries to anyone nearby. Always seek help from a professional garage door repair technician to fix these problems for you.
Keep Remotes and Opener Out of Kids’ Reach
Keep the opener and any remote controls that operate it out of children’s reach. Children should not be allowed to play with them as the opener can cause serious injuries or property damage if misused. To prevent such accidents, mount the opener on the wall, at least five feet off the ground.
Conclusion
A garage door can cause severe injury and property damage when not used safely. It is essential to adhere to these garage door safety tips and keep your garage door in good working condition, proper balance and maintaining its safety features. If you encounter any problems, never hesitate to call a reliable garage door repair service. Remember, prevention is the best policy when it comes to garage door safety. To additionally enrich your educational journey, we recommend you explore the recommended external site. You’ll discover supplementary and essential details about the subject. Garage Door Openers Barrie https://canadoorsystems.com, expand your knowledge!
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