Many homeowners see their garage doors as functional, extremely helpful parts of their home. And rightfully so! But without proper care, garage doors can actually lead to serious injury and even death in the most extreme cases. Jolly Goat Garage Doors is always here with informative blogs, and this time, we put together some of the most important garage door safety tips for Edmond homeowners.
Keep reading to make sure you’re doing all you can to keep your garage safe!
1. Test the Auto-Reverse Feature Regularly
Your garage door’s auto-reverse mechanism is kind of like its reflexes. When a closing garage door encounters an obstacle, it should automatically reverse. Our first garage door safety tip is to test this essential safety feature regularly.
To do so, place objects like a roll of paper towels or a wooden plank on the ground where the door would close. Press the close button and watch. If the door doesn’t reverse upon contact with the object you put there, then it’s time to call in the pros (like us!) for a tune-up.
2. Keep the Photo Eye Sensors in Check
Modern garage doors usually come with photo-eye sensors. These are basically little gadgets positioned about six inches off the ground on either side of the door. Their job is to detect any object, person, or pet that might be in the door’s path and prevent the door from closing on them. These sensors are what make it possible for your garage door to auto-reverse.
That said, you have to make sure that these sensors are properly aligned and free from dirt or anything that could block them and compromise how they work. A quick wipe with a soft cloth and a visual check are all you need!
3. Mind Your Fingers!
Pinched fingers are one of the most common garage door injuries. Getting your fingers caught between the heavy door can also be extremely dangerous as it can make it impossible for you to leave the garage to ask for help.
All garage doors have moving parts, but some older models pose more concerning pinch hazards. So make sure not to put your fingers between the door sections, and when you’re manually operating the door, only use the actual handles and gripping points to keep your fingers safe.
4. Educate the Little Ones
Got any kiddos who love to run around near the garage door? They’re naturally curious, and a moving garage door can be quite fascinating to them. But garage doors can exert deadly force that you don’t want kids to be exposed to under any circumstance.
Our garage door safety tip is to keep remote controls out of their reach and make sure the wall control buttons are at least five feet off the ground so they can’t reach them. Make sure you sit them down and explain to them how important it is that they stay clear of the door when it’s moving, and never to play under or near it for safety reasons.
5. Don’t Skip Regular Maintenance
Your garage door is a working machine, and like any other component of your home, it’s your responsibility to periodically check on its health and performance. We recommend scheduling a professional inspection at least once a year so the pros can assess its springs, cables, rollers, and other important parts.
This is a proactive approach that can keep you and your family safe from unexpected complications and accidents. But even if you’ve been neglectful of your garage door maintenance, all hope isn’t lost yet! Our jolly team offers Edmond garage door repair and we always make sure it’s as good as new afterward.
6. Stay Clear During Operation
It might be tempting to “beat the door” by slipping under just as the door closes, but that’s a risky move. Trust us. Always wait until the door has fully stopped moving before walking under it. It’s a simple habit that can prevent accidents and set a good example for your kiddos (if you’ve got them).
7. Keep the Garage Door Opener Controls Secure
Your garage door remote should be treated with the same care as your house keys. Avoid leaving it in your car where it could be stolen. You can also use a keychain remote so you always have it on you. For even more security, look into modern systems that offer smartphone integration. This lets you control access directly from your phone, even when you’re away.
8. Be Careful with DIY Repairs
While it’s really great to be handy around the house, some garage door components like torsion and extension springs are under high tension. This means that these tension-fueled parts can be dangerous to adjust without proper training.
So if you find yourself experiencing issues beyond basic maintenance, we highly recommend calling in a trusted professional. They have the tools and expertise to handle repairs safely and properly, making sure your garage door has a trouble-free operation afterward.
9. Know Your Emergency Release
You never know when a power outage might hit your area, or when your automatic garage door opener might fail. That’s why it’s important that you’re familiar with your garage door’s emergency release feature. This feature lets you manually operate the door whenever the situation calls for it.
How do you do it? You want to first make sure that your door is in the down position. Don’t attempt to disengage your door if it’s in the up position as it can send your garage door crashing down if there happens to be an issue with the springs.
Next, look for the emergency release cord. It’s usually a red rope you can find hanging from the door trolley. After pulling, you can now manually open or close the garage door as needed. Now, when you’re done moving the garage door, you should bring it back to the down position for safety.
10. Consider Upgrading Older Garage Door Systems
If your garage door was manufactured before 1993, it likely doesn’t have all the essential safety features like photo-eye sensors or the auto-reverse mechanism. Getting newer garage doors means you also get safety and security upgrades. Plus, you get to replace any broken parts in your old garage door!
11. Pay Attention to Strange Noises and Movements
Sometimes, your garage door tries to tell you something’s wrong—you just have to listen. If it’s making weird grinding, squeaking, or clunking sounds, or if it jerks, stutters, or feels off-balance when it opens and closes, it’s time to take a closer look.
What Garage Door Noises Could Mean
Unusual noises or movement could point to a few things:
- Worn-out rollers or hinges
- Loose hardware
- Dry or unlubricated tracks
- Fraying cables or faulty springs
All of these can compromise the door’s safety and performance, and some (like spring issues) can be downright dangerous if left unchecked.
Don’t Ignore the Early Warnings
Just because the door still opens doesn’t mean everything’s fine. Those strange noises or rough movements are your garage door’s way of waving a red flag. If you catch the issue early, it’s usually a simple fix. If you wait too long? That small issue could turn into a full-blown breakdown—and nobody wants to deal with that in the middle of Oklahoma weather.
Call Your Edmond Garage Door Pros
If something feels off, skip the guessing game. The Jolly Goat Garage Doors team is trained to spot the small problems before they become big ones. We’ll check out what’s causing the noise or movement and get your garage door back in smooth, safe working order.
Keep Your Garage Door Safe with Jolly Goat!
At Jolly Goat Garage Doors, it’s our mission to make sure Edmond’s garage doors are working properly thanks to proper installation and maintenance by our trained garage door technicians. Our team offers a range of services for every garage door need, and not only do we deliver each service efficiently and successfully, but we also make sure that everyone’s safety is prioritized.
Want to know more? Check out our website or give us a call to get started!
