Happy Garage Door Safety Month! Safety should always be a top priority and primary focus, but the International Door Association (IDA) likes to take a month each year to recognize and really highlight the importance of garage door safety for residential and commercial uses alike.
We understand there is a large amount of information available to you about garage door safety, so we are breaking all that noise down into an easy-to-use checklist. Keep reading for more information on how to stay vigilant and remain safe overall…
With your garage door closed, you should regularly inspect the following for signs of possible safety issues:
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- Springs – looking for gaps that may indicate a break, stretching or excessive wear, and discoloration or rust
- Cables – looking for breaks and loose or dangling ends
- Track – looking for dents, misalignments, discoloration, and debris/grime buildup inside the track
- Brackets, Bolts & Hinges – looking for loose or missing parts
- Rollers – looking for cracks or breaks
As you open and close your garage door, pay attention for any of the following red flags that may indicate unsafe operations:
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- Listen for odd noises, such as grinding or scraping sounds. Different sounds can indicate different issues, so if you hear anything, pay special attention to the noise so that you can most accurately describe it to a pro.
- Watch the balance of the door as it opens and closes. Keeping the door in balance is essential for safe operation.
- Watch the door as it moves through the tracks for any jerking or unsmooth movements.
- Keep an eye out for signs that the door’s automatic reversal feature is working. This should be tested regularly to ensure that everything’s in good working order.
Here are some of the most important tips to abide by on a daily basis to make sure your garage door and its components are operating at optimal safety levels:
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- Steer clear of the door when it’s in motion. Never run under a moving door and most importantly, do not let kids play “beat the door.”
- The garage door isn’t a toy, neither is the opener. Do not let kids play with the garage door remote or opener. These devices should always be kept in a safe place to avoid unwanted use. Wall mounted push buttons should be at least 6 feet off the ground as to ensure they’re out of reach for small children.
- Make sure the surrounding area is clear of all pets, children, and objects before operating your door.
- Always replace both springs together even if only one is broken.
- Always watch your fingers when manually operating a door. Fully assess your positioning beforehand to avoid careless accidents.
- Use extreme caution when working with any and all garage door components. It can be very dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. As a general rule of thumb, it’s always best to leave service and repairs up to the professionals.
When in doubt, schedule a maintenance appointment. Professional garage door technicians have their own checklist or process when it comes to thoroughly examining and testing all areas of your garage door system. Omaha Door & Window has decades worth of experience and expertise that aid us in identifying the more subtle signs that something is not operating correctly and bringing it back up to good working order. You can count on us to prioritize safety in everything we do.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help with your garage door needs or with any questions you may have about garage door safety. You can also visit the IDA website and even follow #GarageDoorSafety on various social media platforms to keep up all the safety recommendations that come from IDA and other professionals within the industry!