Garage Door Safety Tips for Families with Kids and Pets
After all, your garage door is one of the largest and heaviest moving objects in your home — and with kids and pets running around, it’s crucial to ensure it’s safe to operate. We at Hall Garage Doors provide a complete line of residential garage doors. We know that your home is a sanctuary that can be made safer. In our blog, we will cover essential garage door safety knowledge to keep you and your loved ones safe and secure from potential harm.
Educate Your Children Early: Kids are inherently curious, and garage doors are intriguing — particularly when they move up and down with the push of a button. The garage door is not a toy, and that’s a lesson we need to teach our kids sooner rather than later.
Tip:
- Please describe how the door works and why it’s unsafe to push the remote or wall controls.
- Ensure they know not to stand, run, or crawl under a garage door as it opens or closes.
Keep Controls Out of Reach: Garage door openers should be installed at least five feet above the ground and out of the reach of children.
Tip:
- Don’t keep the remote for the garage out; children can’t even circulate from the coffee table to the car seat without climbing on something.
- Using keychain remotes for adults only or smartphone access with restricted access may be an option.
Check the Auto-Reverse Feature Monthly: Newer garage doors have built-in auto-reverse sensors that, like the name suggests, sense the obstruction and cause the door to reverse direction if something is obstructing it. This is an important safety aspect, particularly when kids and pets are present.
How to Test It:
- Insert a roll of paper towels or a small box in the door and close it. When impeded by the object, the door should self-reverse its direction.
- If it doesn’t turn on, call a professional right away for a safety inspection.
Install Motion or Laser Sensors: Imagine motion sensors and laser safety beams to detect movement or small bodies near the base and prevent the door from lowering on a child or pet.
Tip:
- Check to see whether the contacts are no more than six inches above the floor.
- Wipe sensors down periodically to prevent dust or spiderwebs from interfering with their operation.
Never Leave the Garage Door Partially Open: Cracking open your garage door a few inches for ventilation or to allow a pet to come and go might not seem particularly dangerous. But half-open is a hazardous situation.
Why It Matters:
- If someone activates it or if the opener breaks, it can come crashing down.
- And it’s a welcome mat for trespassers or wild animals.
Inspect and Maintain Garage Door Hardware: Springs, cables, rollers, and tracks need to be checked frequently for wear and damage. If the door does not operate properly, it can drop and injure someone.
Tip:
- Have your HVAC unit professionally maintained at least once a year.
- Keep all children and pets away from the door during any inspection or while the door is being manually operated.
Install a Garage Door Timer: Automatic door closure activates with the use of a garage door timer to keep the door closed after a specific period. This is perfect for busy families who may forget to close the door before leaving.
Bonus:
- Their smart features can also send you notifications if you leave the door open for too long or can be controlled from your smartphone.
Keep the Area Clear of Toys and Clutter: Keep its surroundings — inside and out — obstruction-free of toys, bicycles, balls, and pet belongings.
Why It’s Important:
- Excessive clutter can clog sensors and lead to equipment failure.
- Young children may have a tendency to try to poke toys under a door as it closes, increasing the risk of injury.
Final Thoughts
Garage door safety begins with awareness and a little routine maintenance. As a locally owned family business, Hall Garage Doors strives to provide you with service that is equivalent to the level of protection our products offer. Whether it’s installing safe garage door systems for children or providing professional door inspections, we are your go-to source for garage door safety.
Do you need a garage door safety check?
When safety comes before all else, contact Hall Garage Doors today for an inspection or maintenance visit.
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