June: It’s Garage Door Safety Month

The International Door Association (IDA) and the Door & Access Systems Manufacturers Association (DASMA) have designated June as Garage Door Safety Month.

The IDA and its affiliated dealers will be working to increase awareness of the possible hazards of garage doors and automatic opener systems, and the need for periodic inspection and maintenance to insure they are safe. Give your garage door a safety check to be certain it’s in proper working condition by using these ten garage door safety and security tips.

  1. Make sure your garage door opener control button is inaccessible to toddlers and small children

  2. Do not let kids play with garage door remote controls.

  3. Consult the owner’s manual and learn how to use the garage door’s emergency release feature.

  4. Visually inspect the garage door each month.

    Look at springs, cables, rollers and pulleys for signs of wear. Do not attempt to remove, adjust or repair these parts or anything attached to them. A trained door repairman must make adjustments to these parts, which are under high tension.

  5. Test the garage door opener’s reversing mechanism monthly by placing a 2×4 board in the door’s path.

    If the door doesn’t reverse after coming in contact with the object, call a Garaga qualified garage door professional for repair. If the opener has not been replaced since 1993, seriously consider a new one with auto-reverse as a standard feature.

  6. Never place fingers between door sections and explain the dangers to children.

  7. Do not leave the garage door partially open.

    When door is activated again, it may gradually close shut and come in contact with an object in its path. This also impacts your home’s security as well.

  8. While on vacation, unplug the garage door opener unit or use a wall vacation lock console security switch.

    This is an optional accessory to most openers. It will insure no one is able to open your garage door while you and your family away.

  9. Change the manufacturer’s standard access codes on the opener and remote control.

    If the opener doesn’t have a rolling-code technology, which changes the access codes each time the opener is used to prevent code grabbing, be sure to change the manufacturer’s standard access codes on the opener and remote control, or consider investing in a newer model with more safety and security features that are now standard.

  10. Never leave the remote control in the car or with a parking attendant.

    A new trend in home invasion is gaining access to the home by stealing the opener or car. Consider using a key chain remote and always lock the entry to the inside of your home – especially if your opener is programmed to your vehicle. It is a small inconvenience for safety and security. Use new technology in programming your garage door opener with your smartphone.

Although you should provide monthly safety checks and maintenance to your garage door system, an annual visit from a trained door systems technician can keep your door operating safely and smoothly for a long time.

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