Your garage door is probably the heaviest moving item in your home. It can also be one of the most dangerous. Each year, more than 20,000 people are injured by garage doors.
The good news is that newer garage doors are designed with safety in mind. In fact, all new garage doors incorporate photoelectric “eyes” that stop and reverse in the event a person or object is in the path of the door. But even the most high-tech garage doors can stop working properly and cause injuries. That’s why checking your garage door periodically and having a professional conduct an annual checkup of your door is always a good idea.
Your garage door’s sensors are an important safety feature. One way to check if sensors are working is to place a roll of paper towels under the pathway of the door and try to lower it. When the door hits the towel roll, it should reverse direction.
Your door also should open and close smoothly. If not, the springing system may need to be adjusted or replaced. Loose brackets are another issue. They can cause serious injury if loosened or removed. A professional can help determine if your garage door springs and cables need to be replaced. They can cause damage or injury if they wear out and break.
