Garage Door Safety Guidelines: What You Need to Know

It is quite odd, but a lot of people tend to overlook garage doors when they think of household hazards. Garage doors, especially the older models, can be dangerous. Every year, thousands of people get injured by faulty or damaged garage doors. So, it is essential to keep and follow some safety guidelines when using your garage doors. The following tips, along with regular maintenance, should keep you safe.

Always Check the Safety Sensors

It is important to regularly check the condition of the safety sensors in your garage door. You can find them about six inches off the ground, attached to the rails on which the garage door rides. What they do is reverse the direction of a closing door when it detects a person or animal crossing under it.

Test it by pushing the control button. It will start to close, but before it completely goes down, place a broom or a similar object before one of the sensors. When you block the beam, the door should stop immediately and move in reverse. If the door does not reverse, then it is time to call for emergency garage door repairs in Perth.

Test the Force

When the garage door is rising, and you try to push it down, it should stop. If the door is lowering, it should still stop when you push up on its bottom. If this does not happen, then you must adjust the force settings. If you are still confused as to how you should do this, it is best to consult a professional.

What to do Before Going on a Vacation

If you are planning to go on a vacation, do not forget to unplug your garage door opener. On the other hand, you can also use a console security switch with a vacation lock feature. This should render remotes unusable. Most openers are offered with this as an optional accessory.

Keep your Passcode Secret

There are garage door manufacturers that offer openers with a feature that allows you to set one-time and user-specific passcodes. This is useful, especially when you’ve got relatives coming over or you’ve got a package to be delivered. You can give them access without revealing the passcode for the keypad of your garage door opener. There are also openers with smartphone apps that provide you with more control and convenience. In this way, you can open and close the door even from a distance.

Watch your Fingers

Make sure you keep your hands away from the joints between the panels of your garage door, especially when it is closing. Thousands of garage door-related injuries include fingers getting caught between the door sections. On the other hand, newer doors have pinch protection that helps reduce the risk of finger and hand injuries. If such an option is available, it would be best to take advantage of it.

Keep the Garage Door Remotes Out of Children’s Reach

 Make sure you keep the transmitters where children can’t find them. The wall control of your garage door should also be placed at least five feet from the ground. In this way, young children won’t be able to reach it. You shouldn’t also let your children ride up the garage door while hanging onto the door handle. Let them know that garage doors are not toys.

Avoid Repairing your Garage Door Springs

Of course, there are some things you can repair on your own, but your garage door springs are not one of them. Keep in mind that these components carry a significant amount of tension. When they crack, loosen up or rust, they might unexpectedly give out. If you’re trying to fix the springs without appropriate support for the door, the door might come crashing down on you.

When it comes to emergency garage door repairs in Perth, it is always best to look for trusted professionals. Garage door specialists should be able to assess the condition of your door and springs. If lubrication is needed, they would advise accordingly. They would be able to tell if your springs need replacement. Moreover, they would be able to find the right size of springs for your garage door. Needless to say, seeking professional help is still the cost-effective solution for garage door repairs.