2023-12-28 6 min read
Garage doors are the largest moving objects in most homes, weighing between 150 and 400 pounds. When properly installed and maintained, they're safe and convenient. However, they can pose serious risks if safety features fail or if the door is improperly used. Here's what every homeowner needs to know about garage door safety.
Each year, approximately 30,000 people are injured by garage doors in the United States. The most common injuries include:
- Crush injuries from doors closing on fingers, hands, or bodies, Impact injuries from doors falling unexpectedly, Entrapment between the door and the ground, Spring-related injuries from DIY repair attempts
Children are particularly vulnerable, with thousands of injuries occurring each year. Educating your family about garage door safety is essential.
Modern garage doors come with important safety features. Make sure yours has these, and that they're working properly:
All garage door openers manufactured after 1993 are required to have an auto-reverse feature. This causes the door to reverse direction if it contacts an object while closing. Test this monthly by placing a roll of paper towels or piece of wood in the door's path.
These sensors create an invisible beam across the bottom of the door opening. If the beam is broken (by a person, pet, or object), the door will stop and reverse. Clean the sensors regularly and test them monthly by waving your hand in front of them while the door is closing.
The red cord hanging from your opener is the manual release. It allows you to open the door manually if the power goes out or the opener fails. Make sure all family members know how to use it.
If you have a detached garage without a separate entry door, consider installing an emergency release kit that can be operated from outside.
Entrapment between the door and the ground is a serious concern, especially for children. To prevent this:
- Test auto-reverse regularly, Place an obstacle in the path and verify the door reverses, Check photo-eyes monthly, Ensure they're aligned and functioning, Replace old openers, Openers manufactured before 1993 may not have modern safety features, Never leave the door partially open, This creates an entrapment hazard
Garage door springs are under extreme tension, enough force to cause serious injury or death. Never:
- Attempt to adjust or repair springs yourself, Touch springs that appear damaged or worn, Try to replace springs without professional training, Use the door if a spring is broken
If a spring breaks, you may hear a loud bang. The door will be very heavy and difficult to open. Call a professional immediately.
Your garage door can play a role in fire safety:
- Fire-rated doors: If your garage is attached to your home, consider a fire-rated door for the connection between garage and house, Don't block the door: Keep the path clear for emergency exit, Know the manual release: Practice using it in case you need to evacuate during a power outage, Heat detection: Consider a fire/smoke detector in your garage
A secure garage door protects your home:
- Lock it: Use the manual lock when away for extended periods, Secure the opener: Don't leave the remote visible in your car, Cover windows: Prevents burglars from seeing if cars are home, Smart opener security: If you have a smart opener, use strong passwords and two-factor authentication, Vacation mode: Some openers have a vacation mode that disables the remote
Perform these safety checks monthly:
1. Visual inspection, Look for worn parts, rust, or damage 2. Balance test, Disconnect opener and check that door stays in place when partially open 3. Reversal test, Place object in path and verify door reverses 4. Photo-eye test, Wave hand in front of sensors while door closes 5. Force setting test, Door should reverse with light resistance
Contact a garage door technician if:
- The door doesn't reverse when it should, Photo-eyes aren't working, Springs are damaged or broken, The door is difficult to open or close manually, You hear grinding or scraping sounds, The door looks crooked or off-track, Any safety feature isn't working properly
Garage door safety is about awareness and maintenance. By teaching your family the rules, maintaining safety features, and addressing problems promptly, you can prevent accidents and enjoy the convenience of your garage door without worry.
At Garage Door Yorba Linda, we prioritize safety in every installation and repair. Our technicians are trained to ensure all safety features are properly installed and functioning. We offer comprehensive safety inspections and can upgrade older systems with modern safety features.
For a safety inspection or to upgrade your garage door system, call us at 888-342-3454. Your family's safety is our top priority.