6 Important Garage Door Safety Tips
- Regular Sensor Checks: Ensure your automated garage door sensors are functioning correctly by testing the auto-reverse feature with an object in the door’s path. Consult a professional if issues arise.
- Read the Instructions: Familiarise yourself with the garage door’s instruction manual to understand its operation and safety features. Associated Garage Doors provides a demonstration with each installation.
- Child Supervision: Educate young children on garage door safety, keep remotes out of reach, and ensure they stay clear while the door is in motion.
- Routine Inspections and Repairs: Schedule annual professional inspections and perform monthly visual checks to identify and address any wear or damage early. Promptly repair any issues to maintain safety.
Most of us will use our garage door multiple times a day without really thinking too much about it.
However, it can be all too easy to forget that your garage door is a piece of heavy machinery that comes with its own set of risks, particularly if you have an automated garage door. If not properly operated and maintained, your garage door can cause serious injury, so it’s always essential to be mindful of safety when accessing your garage.
To help with this, the team at Associated Garage Doors has compiled our top garage door safety tips below.
Check the garage door sensors
If you have an automated garage door, the sensors play a crucial role in protecting both property and people. Upon detecting an obstruction, they will stop your garage door in its tracks to prevent an accident. Therefore, it’s vital that your garage door sensors are always working as they should be.
You can test your garage door sensors by placing an object directly in the path of the door and activating the opener; if everything is working correctly then the auto-reverse feature should kick in at this point and block the door from moving any further. If you notice any issues with your sensors, it’s important to consult a professional as quickly as possible.
Read the garage door instructions
However much we like to pretend otherwise, most of us, upon being given a lengthy instruction manual, will throw it in the nearest junk drawer to be forgotten about until the next time we’re faced with an issue.
When your new garage door is fitted, you’ll be provided with a set of instructions detailing how the opening/closing mechanism works, operating directions and any other safety features. It’s important to thoroughly read this and take on board all the necessary information so you know how to use your garage door safely.
Here at Associated Garage Doors, we provide a demonstration with every installation to ensure you’re confident in how to operate your new garage door.
Supervise children
In any busy household, it’s inevitable that small children can get underfoot from time to time. However, getting in the way of a heavy garage door can have dire consequences, so it’s essential that all young children are properly educated on garage door safety. Be sure to keep any garage door remotes far out of reach and make sure your children know how important it is to keep a safe distance while your garage door is opening or closing.
Schedule regular garage door inspections
By having your garage door regularly maintained and inspected, potential issues can be identified at an early stage before they have the chance to worsen. It’s generally recommended to have a trusted garage door company, like Associated Garage Doors, perform an annual service to assess the condition of your door and pinpoint any problems.
However, don’t let this stop you from carrying out your own checks; it’s always a good idea to do a quick visual inspection of your garage door every month to look for any signs of wear.
Stay on top of garage door repairs
If you’ve noticed a problem with your garage door, you might be tempted to just leave the issue until it becomes impossible to ignore. However, by turning a blind eye to any potential repairs, you’re putting yourself and others at risk. If you notice any signs of damage, it’s essential to contact a professional to assess the severity of the issue and verify whether your garage door is safe to use.
Use a trusted garage door supplier
No amount of repairs and maintenance can help if you were supplied with a shoddy, low-quality garage door in the first place. When you choose Associated Garage Doors for your garage door replacement, you can relax safe in the knowledge that you’re receiving an exceptional, robust product. We source our garage doors from some of the country’s leading manufacturers, so you can be sure they conform to the highest safety standards.
Don’t compromise on the safety of your garage door. Here at Associated Garage Doors, we’ve been repairing and maintaining garage doors across Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and the surrounding Kent region for more than 30 years. Get in touch with us today to find out more.