Essential Garage Door Safety Tips for Families

2023-12-20 5 min read Sarah Williams

Your garage door is the largest moving object in your home, weighing anywhere from 150 to 400 pounds or more. When properly maintained and used correctly, garage doors are safe. However, accidents can happen if safety precautions are ignored.

Understand the Safety Features

Photoelectric Sensors

These sensors project an invisible beam across the doorway. If anything breaks this beam while the door is closing, the door automatically reverses. Test these monthly as part of your maintenance routine.

Auto-Reverse Feature

If the door encounters an obstruction while closing, it should stop and reverse. Test by placing a 2x4 flat on the ground. If it doesn't reverse, call our repair team immediately.

Keep Children Safe

Teach children that the garage door is not a toy, keep remotes out of reach, never let children play near a moving door, and keep wall-mounted buttons at least 5 feet high. Families across Stevenson Ranch, Oak Park, and Thousand Oaks trust us for family-safe garage door setups.

Regular Maintenance Matters

A well-maintained door is a safer door. Schedule professional maintenance at least once a year, and perform monthly checks: listen for unusual sounds, watch for jerky movements, check cables for fraying, and test safety sensors.

Never Attempt DIY Spring Repairs

Garage door springs are under extreme tension and should only be serviced by trained professionals. Read our spring replacement guide to understand why this is a job for the pros.

Secure Your Home

Beyond physical safety, consider security: never leave the door open unattended, keep the interior door locked, and consider a smart opener for monitoring from anywhere.

When in Doubt, Call a Pro

If anything about your garage door seems off, contact Garage Door Fillmore for a safety inspection or call (805) 909-4186. Your family's safety is worth the peace of mind.

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