Because your garage door has one major function, to open and close on demand, it doesn’t always register with homeowners and parents just how important it is to understand proper garage door safety measures. Your garage door is likely the largest and the heaviest moving object in your home; keeping your family safe depends upon everyone understanding how a garage door should and should not be used.
Kids love pushing buttons, but they need to know that the garage door is not a toy. Push button controls for your garage door that are mounted on the wall need to be installed at least five feet off of the floor so as to be out of the reach of small children, and adults should make sure that all remote controls are kept out of kids’ reach.
When the garage door is moving, fingers and hands should be kept clear of door sections to avoid serious injury. Playing under or near the garage door, or trying to “outrun” it as it drops, are risky activities that can have serious consequences. Similarly, adults should keep in mind that exiting the garage by attempting to race the door as it goes down is just as dangerous, and also sets a bad example for children.
Attempting to complete your own garage door repairs is also not advised in most cases, the electric operating mechanism does present a risk of electrocution if mishandled. Springs and cables, which are under an immense amount of pressure, can cause very severe injuries or even death if they’re handled improperly. In the case of any garage door repairs, it’s always best to contact a local garage door repair specialist or technician to ensure your own safety.
