It’s National Safety Month and the International Door Association has made June the National Garage Door Safety Month! In honor of this, we have created a list of safety tips for garage door use so that you can participate in this month of safety and prevent any future accidents in your home. These tips are simple but extremely important and could potentially save your family and yourself from harm. Our top 10 safety tips are below:
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Always be checking and maintaining your garage door to make sure it is running smoothly. If broken or unbalanced, a garage door can be extremely dangerous. This can be prevented by scheduling regular inspections.
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Pay close attention to your garage door when in motion and listen for unusual noises. This could be a sign of loose or worn out parts and should be inspected immediately.
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A damaged door, even if you lightly bumped into it with your car and can’t seem to find any damage, should be checked immediately. Even the smallest bump to your garage door could cause a misalignment and the springs or door could break down at some point or wear out at a much faster rate. Be cautious of this and always call a professional.
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Keep feet, hands, and fingers away from moving sections of the door to avoid any injury.
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Keep children and pets away from the garage door as they are heavy and dangerous. They should especially be avoided when moving so that your child or family pet is not trapped beneath it or caught in any moving parts.
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Also keep children from opening and closing the door around themselves or others by keeping the remote controls or wall-mounted openers high up and away from their curiosity driven reach.
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If you have not already, we highly recommend that you install an “electric eye,” a sensor that is mounted a few inches from the ground at the opening of the garage door. If anything crosses the sensor, the garage door immediately stops closing and begins to lift to reopen. This can be very useful with children and pets in the house.
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When you open or close your garage door, always pause to watch it do so to make sure everything is safe. Do not walk away after pressing the control switch.
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To prevent unfriendly strangers from entering your home, make sure to always close it, whether you are coming or going. And if possible, do not keep the garage door opener in your car unless it is hidden. If you car is ever stolen, a thief could use this to gain access to your home.
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And lastly, when you go out of town, always bolt your garage doors so that no one can get into your home through the garage.
We know that safety is always your priority and it is also ours. Your garage door is the biggest machine in your house and often overlooked as being potentially dangerous. These tips will keep your loved ones out of harm’s way, for this month and from now on, and keep your garage door running smoothly for years to come.
Happy National Garage Door Safety Month from Precision Garage Door Orange County, offering comprehensive garage door services to the people of Orange County.
