Keeping Kids Safe When a Garage Door Opener is Installed
July 16, 2014Throughout the years, many advancements have been made in regards to safety and the use of a garage door opener. However, even with the many changes that have been made, children are still at risk of becoming injured by a garage door. The dangers associated with using an opener may include, but is not limited to, children getting stuck under a door that is being closed and/or fingers getting caught in the tracks and mechanisms of the garage door. Because of the dangers a garage door can pose, it is important to take all of the necessary safety precautions. Here are some of the top safety measures we suggest every homeowner with a garage door opener should take. Teach kids the dangers of a garage door. Explain to younger children that the garage door is not a toy to be played with and how they should never play near or under the door. Mount the opener out of the reach of any small children. We recommend to mount the control at least five feet off the ground. We also suggest to mount the opener where there is a clear view of the door to ensure nothing is in the way when closing the door. Turn off the opener and operate the garage door manually. This will reduce the changes of the opener accidentally being triggered. Have a safety cable and safety sensors installed. This will help increase the level of safety associated with using a garage door. Routinely test and inspect the garage door and the opener’s reversing mechanism. This can be done by placing a 2×4 under the door. If the door does not reverse when it strikes the board, it may be necessary to have it looked at and fixed. Keep the garage door operating efficiently and properly. This should be done monthly by visually checking the door’s system and testing it. Use a safety checklist when conducting regular inspections of the garage door. If there are any inconsistencies with the door’s operation or visual track damage, contact someone who specializes in garage door repair. He or she can help fix the door and ensure its proper and safe operation. Never alter a garage door or attempt to make any temporary repairs to it. This includes the door’s tracks, operating system, springs, cables and automatic garage door opener sensors. Set a good example. Show the kids how to be safe when it comes to the garage door. Have all adults properly use the controllers and act appropriately when in the vicinity of the door. The garage door is one of the largest moving parts within a home. That is why we suggest continually maintaining and checking its operation. If things do not look or operate right, stop using immediately and contact someone who can help repair and fix the door before anything happens. Taking proactive measures now, will help ensure the safety of the kids when they are around the garage door.