Garage Door Safety Month

June means longer days, more outdoor activity in, and around the house. It’s important for homeowners to keep their families safe while working around the largest entry point of the home, the garage. June was designated Garage Door Safety Month by the International Door Association (IDA) and the Door and Access System (DASMA).

Below are some tips on how to keep your garage door working properly & avoid accidents:

1. Keep the garage door opener control button out of the reach of children.
2. Do not let children play with garage door remote controls.
3. Never place fingers between door sections. Consider pinch-resistant door panels to prevent accidents.
4. Visually inspect the garage door for wear and tear.
5. Pay particular attention to springs, cables, rollers and pulleys.
6. Do not attempt to remove, adjust or repair these parts or anything attached to them. These parts are under high tension. They should only be fixed by a trained garage door professional.
7. Test the reversing mechanism by placing a 2-inch by 4-inch board in the door’s path. If the door does not reverse after contacting the object, call a qualified garage door professional for repair.
8. If the opener has not been replaced since 1993, replace the garage door opener with a new one with safety beams and auto-reverse as a standard feature.
9. While on vacation, unplug the garage door opener unit or use the vacation lock security switch on the wall console. This renders remotes unusable. It is an optional accessory to most openers.
10. Do not leave the garage door partially open. When activated, it may travel downward and come in contact with an object in its path. This also compromises a home’s security.

The garage door is often the largest moving object and most-used entry point of a home. This is why it’s important for homeowners to keep their garage doors and automatic opener systems in proper working condition.