2025-01-03 5 min read
Garage doors are one of the largest moving objects in most homes, weighing anywhere from 150 to 400+ pounds depending on the material and size. Safety should be a top priority for families with children. Modern garage door systems include numerous safety features designed to protect your family, and understanding these features can help you ensure they're working properly.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, garage doors cause an estimated 30,000 injuries each year. Many of these injuries involve children and could be prevented with properly functioning safety equipment and adult supervision. At Cashiers Garage Doors, we take safety seriously and ensure every installation includes modern safety features.
, all garage door openers are required by federal law to have an auto-reverse feature. This causes the door to automatically reverse direction if it encounters an obstruction while closing. Test this feature monthly by placing a roll of paper towels or a 2x4 board under the door. When the door contacts the object, it should immediately reverse.
If your door doesn't reverse when contacting an object, do not use it until the problem is corrected. The issue may be with the sensitivity settings, the motor, or the control board. Our technicians can diagnose and repair auto-reverse problems quickly, usually during a single service visit. Never try to adjust spring tension or opener mechanisms yourself.these repairs require specialized knowledge and tools.
Photo-eye sensors create an invisible infrared beam across the door opening about six inches above the floor. If anything breaks this beam while the door is closing, the door immediately reverses direction. These sensors are extremely effective at preventing injuries to children and pets who may run under a closing door.
Keep these sensors clean and properly aligned for optimal performance. Dust, cobwebs, and debris can interfere with the beam, causing false triggers or preventing the safety feature from working. The sensor lights should glow steadily when aligned; blinking lights indicate misalignment. We recommend testing photo-eye sensors monthly by waving a broom handle through the beam while the door is closing.
Install the wall control panel at least 5 feet high, out of reach of small children. This prevents unsupervised operation and potential accidents. Modern control panels also include a "vacation lock" feature that disables remote controls while you're away, adding an extra layer of security.
Teach children that the garage door is not a toy. The wall button should only be operated by adults or responsible teenagers, and only when they can see the entire door area. Never allow children to race the door or play under a moving door. These simple rules can prevent the majority of garage door injuries.
Keep garage door remotes out of children's reach. Modern openers use rolling code technology which changes the access code after each use, preventing code theft. If your opener is more than 15-20 years old, it may use a fixed code that's vulnerable to being captured and replayed by thieves. Consider upgrading to a modern opener with enhanced security features.
Smartphone-enabled openers add another layer of convenience and security. You can monitor your garage door from anywhere, receive alerts when it opens, and close it remotely if you forgot. These smart features give parents peace of mind knowing their garage is secure even when they're away from home.
Monthly safety checks and annual professional maintenance ensure all safety features function properly. A malfunctioning safety feature is worse than no feature at all because it creates a false sense of security. Our maintenance plans include comprehensive safety inspections that verify every safety system is working correctly.
During a professional safety inspection, we test the auto-reverse function, verify photo-eye alignment and sensitivity, check spring tension and balance, inspect cables and hardware for wear, and test the emergency release. Contact us to schedule a safety inspection for your garage door system.
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