Garage Door Safety

The International Door Association (IDA), an industry association of professionals, advises, “An improperly adjusted garage door or automatic opener can exert deadly force when the door closes. This could lead to serious injury or death from being hit by a closing garage door or from being trapped under the door. The proper installation, operation, and maintenance and testing are necessary to provide safe, trouble-free operation.”

The IDA has identified a few simple pointers to keep your family and guests safe and secure around a heavy moving object like a garage door:

Do Not stand or walk under a moving door! Do not let children or adults play “beat the door.” It is dangerous and can result in serious injury or death. Adults should set a good example. Know how to use the emergency release, in case someone is pinned by the door.

Do Not let children play with or use the transmitters or remote controls. Always place and store them out of the reach of children.

The pushbutton wall control should be out of the reach of children (at least 5 feet from the floor) and away from all moving parts. Mount and use the button where you can clearly see the moving garage door.

Teach Your Children About Garage Door and Opener Safety
Garage door openers are not toys. Careless operation and allowing children to play with or use garage door opener controls can lead to tragic results. Discuss garage door safety with your children. Explain the danger of being trapped under the door.

When using the pushbutton or transmitter, keep the door in sight until it completely stops moving. Teach children never to play under or near an open garage door.

Teach children to keep their hands and fingers clear of section joints, hinges, tracks, springs and other door parts. Contact with a moving door or its hardware could cause serious injury. These injuries can also happen with garage doors that don’t have automatic openers.

Routine Maintenance Can Prevent Tragedies
Take a few minutes to inspect and test your complete garage door system. Make monthly inspection and testing a part of your regular routine. Safety is everyone’s business. Make garage door and garage door opener safety automatic in your home.

 

 

Monthly Maintenance Checklist

Garage Door Opener

  • Reversal Test
  • Force Setting Test
  • Additional Safety Devices
Garage Door

  • Visual Inspection – Springs, Rollers, Pulleys, Cables, and Track
  • Lubrication
  • Door Balance

With over 35 years of experience with installation and repairs of garage doors, you can feel confident in choosing On Track Garage Doors for your residential and commercial applications! We service all of Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, and Dutchess Counties for your garage door needs; from broken springs, pulleys, and cables, as well as service and repair for your electric motor. Our trucks are equipped with all necessary repair parts, so we are able to take care of all your repair needs in one trip!

Whether you are looking for a new garage door, or a repair on an existing garage door, On Track is the company to call!