10+ Best Practices and Safety Tips For Your Garage Door
It's plain and simple: garage door safety prevents accidents. Neglecting safety practices can lead to severe injuries or even fatalities, so all homeowners and family members should understand best practices for garage door safety.
"Since most Americans use their garage as the main entryway (55%), this is an area where we recommend homeowners work with reputable dealers, installers, and technicians instead who can ensure the correct set-up and smooth operation," advises Mark Mattson, Product Line Manager, Nice North America. "It's best to avoid DIY practices unless a homeowner knows what they are doing."
Guarantee proper installation. Make sure the garage door is (or was!) installed by a certified garage door professional. "Improper installation could lead to serious product issues and accidents, which simply isn’t worth the risk," notes Mattson.
Understand the Auto-Reverse Mechanism. Familiarize everyone in the household with the garage door system, including the auto-reverse feature that detects obstructions and reverses the door to prevent injuries.
Learn about the manual controls. Teach family members how to use the emergency release cord in case of a power outage. "Make sure everyone in the family is educated on how to safely operate their garage doors," advises Mattson.
Perform regular maintenance. Perform routine checks and garage door maintenance to keep safety features operational. Work with reputable dealers and technicians to ensure smooth operation and proper upkeep.
Keep the safety sensors clean. Make sure the sensors that prevent the door from closing if something is in its path are clear and clean to enhance safety for all family members.
Keep remote controls secure. Keep remote controls out of children's reach to prevent accidental operation and potential harm.
Perform visual inspections. Regularly inspect cables, springs, rollers, and other hardware for signs of wear to avoid unexpected failures.
Keep the door balanced. This will prevent sudden falls or closures, which can be particularly dangerous.
Educate family members. All family members should understand how the door works, including its safety features and how to operate it safely. Use Garage Door Safety Month (May) as the perfect opportunity to review.
Secure the door when you're away. Make sure the door is securely closed and locked when not in use to prevent unauthorized access.
Photo by DESIGNECOLOGIST on Unsplash
Modern Smart Garage Doors Enhance Safety and Convenience
Modern smart garage doors integrate seamlessly with home automation systems, offering advanced safety and convenience features:
Remote Control and Monitoring: Operate and check the status of your garage door from anywhere using a smartphone app.
Real-Time Notifications: Receive alerts whenever your garage door is opened, closed, or left open.
Voice Control: Use virtual assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant for hands-free operation.
Geofencing: Automatically open or close the garage door based on your location.
Activity Logs: Keep track of all garage door activity for added security.
Be Aware of Garage Door Installation Scams
Unfortunately, it's important to remember that not all garage door companies are legitimate. It requires specialized knowledge required to install a garage door, replace a broken spring, or install an automatic garage door opener. And sometimes, fraudsters mislead homeowners for repair services. The International Door Association (IDA) works to prevent industry fraud by informing homeowners about scams, and helping them find qualified installers.
"You Need a New Door" Rebuild Package Scam: Companies falsely claim entire door replacement is needed, inflating costs with marked-up estimates and installation charges.
The Lifetime Guarantee Scam: Technicians install cheap parts with guarantees, leading to repeated costly repairs as labor and installation fees aren't covered.
Unidentified Technician Scam: Disreputable companies subcontract unlicensed, independent contractors, risking poor knowledge, lack of job history, and no contact if issues arise.
'Claim to Be' Scam: Fake companies use a reliable garage door business name to deceive customers, falsely claiming affiliation to gain trust.
Related: Too Good to Be True? These Are the Most Common Garage Door Scams
DIY Installation Risks
While it's technically possible to install your own garage door, it's not recommended. "Improper installation could lead to serious product issues and accidents, which simply isn’t worth the risk," notes Mattson. "By working with dealers and technicians, you also reduce the burden of tracking maintenance schedules, and you have professionals who can regularly inspect the door for signs of wear and tear.
Related: What Happens to a Smart Door Lock When the Power Goes Out?
