The garage door is the heaviest and the largest moving component in most homes. They add appeal to our home’s exteriors whilst keeping our vehicles safe and secure from burglars and harsh weather conditions. Since they are used daily, we need to ensure that they are functional and safe at all times. As with any mechanical device, there are also potential dangers in operating these doors. Which are not routinely maintained, could malfunction and pose safety risks. They could cause serious injuries or even death if misused or operated with broken or damaged parts.
To prevent injuries or accidents, homeowners need a simple maintenance checklist. Here is a list of practical tips and safety precautions to ensure that they are in their proper working order.
Keep your Doors Aligned to Ensure Safe Operation
When the door continues to move awkwardly even when manually operated, you may have a problem with your spring system being unbalanced. This misalignment could cause premature wear on other important mechanisms. If this problem persists, seek help from trained professionals. Never attempt to repair cables or spring systems since they could cause serious injuries when handled improperly.
Never Place Hands or Fingers Between the Sections
Every year, there are reports of injuries wherein homeowners mistakenly place their fingers between door sections as they pull the door down. Always lift or pull the door using suitable handles or gripping points.
Sign Up for Regular Maintenance Service
Over time and because of frequent use, garage door parts and mechanisms can wear out and get damaged, which creates potential safety risks. To prevent accidents and injuries from happening, contact your manufacturer and subscribe to annual maintenance checks and service. While a monthly ocular inspection is sufficient to keep garage doors in their top working condition, you should also have annual visits from a trained garage door mechanic. They provide safety checks, a thorough inspection and assessment of your garage door’s condition, and will check that the machinery is in proper order by cleaning and lubricating mechanical parts. A good garage door mechanic will also perform tests to make sure that the sensors, motor and electrical components are running smoothly. By subscribing to this yearly service and assessment of your doors, you can keep disaster at bay and protect your family from impending danger.
Keep Children Away from the Garage
Never allow your children near. They should not be allowed inside the garage unless with an adult. Adults should always make sure that their children cannot access the remote and the wall controls that operate the garage door opener systems. Mount wall controls at least five feet from your garage floor and keep remotes out of children’s reach.
Invest in Technology
One way to prevent accidents is to invest in garage door openers that are equipped with photoelectric eye safety beams. These devices, which are installed a few inches from the garage floor, send invisible beams across the garage door’s path. A broken invisible beam could mean an obstruction which prompts the garage door to open. It is an added safety measure that complements the built-in, auto-reverse functionality.
