The Dangers of Neglecting Garage Door Safety
Garage doors are a common entry and exit point for most households. It also plays a crucial role in securing homes, belongings, cars, and loved ones. However, like any other electronic or mechanical device, garage doors can malfunction, causing fatal injuries or expensive property damage when left unchecked or inadequately maintained. Explore the topic further with this external content we recommend. Garage Door Openers Barrie, uncover fresh viewpoints!
According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, an average of 20,000 people are injured due to garage door accidents each year. The leading causes of garage door injuries are finger and hand entrapment, falling doors, and faulty springs.
Some homeowners take an “it won’t happen to me” attitude when it comes to garage door safety, ignoring warning signs or malfunctioning doors because they think it’s an inconvenience or expense to repair. However, the risks of ignoring garage door safety are too high. It’s essential to proactively identify garage door hazards and prioritize safety before anything unfortunate happens.
Garage Door Maintenance Tips to Ensure Safety
Preventing garage door accidents starts with regular maintenance. Keeping a garage door maintained helps ensure its safety, longevity, performance, and avoids costly repairs. Below are some garage door maintenance tips to follow:
Regular Visual Inspection: Visually inspect garage doors and their parts regularly. Look for any signs of wear and tear, rust, or damages. Address it right away to prevent expensive repairs or even worse, accidents.
Lubricate Door Parts: Apply garage door lubricant to the moving parts of a garage door regularly. Hinges, rollers, and bearings can wear down, lead to unnecessary noise, and reduce the garage door’s lifespan. Regular lubrication lessens friction making the garage door operate safely and quietly.
Test the Garage Door’s Force Setting: Garage doors have an auto-reverse feature. To prevent accidents, it should sense when something is blocking its path and reverse the door’s movement. If the force setting is too high, it may not detect an object, leading to serious injuries or property damage. Test the auto-reverse feature by placing an object like a broomstick in the door’s path. If the garage door doesn’t reverse after hitting the broomstick, adjust the force setting or seek professional help.
Replace Old or Worn-Out Parts: Door springs handle most of the lifting and lowering of the garage doors. However, they tend to wear down due to prolonged use. Overused springs can lead to sudden breaking, causing the garage door to slam and cause severe injuries or property damage. Regularly check spring tension, and if it’s too loose or tight, have them replaced immediately by trained professionals.
Professional Garage Door Servicing: Garage doors are a complex network of moving parts. When in doubt, Evaluate here always seek professional help. A well-equipped and trained professional can help identify potential safety hazards and provide repairs accordingly. They will also ensure that all safety features are functioning correctly, including sensor beams, door openers, and remote controls.
The Benefits of Taking Garage Door Safety Seriously
Investing in garage door safety not only helps prevent accidents, but it also offers other benefits, including: Discover additional information about the subject in this external source we’ve carefully selected for you. Garage Door Openers Barrie, access valuable and complementary information that will enrich your understanding of the subject.
Prolongs the Lifespan of the Garage Door: A well-maintained garage door lasts longer than a neglected one.
Peace of Mind: By proactively addressing potential safety hazards, homeowners can sleep easy knowing their loved ones are safe and and secure.
Energy Efficiency: A properly insulated and sealed garage door reduces energy costs by acting like a buffer that keeps the cool or warm air inside the house.
Increases Home Value: A well-maintained and safe garage door is a selling point when it comes time to sell a property. It shows potential buyers that the house is well cared for, reducing the negotiations for any needed repairs.
Conclusion
While it’s easy to neglect garage door safety as a minor concern, it’s essential to prioritize it to prevent costly and fatal accidents. Homeowners should make it a habit to regularly inspect, maintain, and repair garage doors. Additionally, homeowners should always seek professional help if they suspect any garage door safety hazards to avoid accidents or serious injuries.
