10 GARAGE DOOR SAFETY TIPS!

1.) Make sure the garage door automatic opener control wall-button is out of the reach of small children.

2.) Do not let children play with garage door remote controls, or play near an operating garage door. Children should never be allowed to hang on cables, play with safety sensors, or hang on garage door. Children should never be left unattended around an operating garage door.

3.) Consult the owner’s manual and learn how to use the garage door’s emergency release feature.

4.) Visually inspect the garage door each month. Look at springs, cables, rollers, and pulleys for signs of wear. Do not attempt to remove, adjust or repair these parts or anything attached to them. A trained garage door repairman must make adjustments to these parts, which are under high tension.

5.) Test the garage door automatic opener’s reversing mechanism (safety sensors) monthly by placing a 2 x 4 board or a roll of paper towels in the door’s path. If the door does not reverse after contacting the object, call a qualified garage door professional for repair. If the opener has not been replaced since 1993, seriously consider a new one with auto-reverse (safety sensors) as a standard feature.

6.) Never place fingers between door sections and explain the dangers to children. If you have small children, consider a door with panels that can’t pinch. Ask a professional garage door technician what doors are available?

7.) Do not leave the garage door partially open. When activated again, it may travel downward and come in contact with an object in its path. This also impacts your home’s security as well.

8.) While on vacation, unplug the garage door opener unit or use a vacation lock console security switch, which renders remotes unusable and is an optional accessory to most openers.

9.) If the automatic opener does not have rolling-code technology, which changes the access codes each time the opener is used to prevent code grabbing, be sure to change the manufacturer’s standard access codes on the opener and remote control, or consider investing in a newer model with more safety and security features that are now standard.

10.) A new trend in home invasion is gaining access to the home by stealing the automatic garage door opener remote control, or car. Never leave the remote control in the car or with a parking attendant. Consider using a key chain remote and always lock the entry to the inside of your home – especially if your opener is programmed to your vehicle. It is a small inconvenience for safety and security.