May is Garage Door Safety Month
May is Garage Door Safety Month, making it the perfect time to check in on one of the most frequently used entry points in your home.
Your garage door is the largest moving object in your house, and keeping it in safe working condition is essential for protecting your family and preventing costly repairs.
Garage Door Safety Month: What Homeowners Should Know
As a homeowner, you have the ability to monitor the sounds of the door and use a spray lubricant for certain parts, such as hinges, rollers and springs once per year with a product that has the following properties; lubricant, penetrant and rust inhibitor.
It is important not to touch or replace components (springs, drums, cables, bottom brackets or any plates that connect these components to the frame or other parts), unless you have read and understood the installation manual, have the qualification, tools, and training, as these components are under extreme tension and can cause serious injury or even death. If you are unsure, side with caution and do not attempt. When something does not sound correct, it is time to call a professional.
ELECTRIC OPERATOR SAFETY
As a homeowner, garage door safety starts with making sure your garage door opener’s safety features are working properly. One of the most important components to check is the pair of safety sensors located at the bottom of the vertical tracks.
These sensors communicate with each other to create an invisible beam. If anything blocks that signal, your garage door will automatically stop and reverse back to the fully open position. This essential garage door safety feature helps prevent injury and entrapment.
There is a manual override option—holding down the wall control will allow the door to close even if the sensor beam is interrupted. However, this should only be used with caution and when you can clearly see the door’s path.
Improper installation is one of the most common causes of garage door opener failure and can compromise overall garage door safety. Issues like incorrect bracing or using materials such as perforated angle instead of proper support can lead to damage, especially to the top section of the door.
To maintain optimal garage door safety, it’s important to have your system installed and inspected by a trained professional.
GARAGE DOOR SAFETY TIPS
The garage door has become the new front door utilized by the entire family. What you store in your garage should be carefully considered. Garage door safety is critical to the well-being of your family.
- Make sure your garage door closes properly before you drive off
- Keep garage door openers and accessories out of reach of children
- Never walk or stand under a moving garage door
- Never enter or exit the garage under a moving garage door; try to jump over the safety eyes
- Know where the emergency release handle for your doors is and how to use it
- Going on vacation? Use a vacation lock on the console switch or unplug the garage door
- Check to make sure your garage door is closed when you lock up at night
- Never leave the remote control in your car or with a parking attendant
- Always lock the door from the garage to the inside of your home for safety and security
- When damage to the door occurs, perhaps by a vehicle, have the door inspected, repaired, and maintained by a professionally trained service technician
- Even when there doesn’t appear to be severe damage, a misaligned operating system could create danger
As spring and summer approach, you may be using your garage door more frequently. Now is a good time to have an inspection by a professionally trained service technician so appropriate repairs and maintenance can be performed.
Raynor Door Authority provides Certified Garage Door Technicians and can complete the repairs professionally, safely, and ensure the largest moving part in your home is operating safely and as it should to improve the life expectancy of the system. Poor maintenance means decreasing the life span of the product. Visit your Raynor Door Authority to Contact Us and get a Quote on exactly what you need.
