5 min read Mike Thompson
Garage doors are the largest moving objects in most homes, weighing between 150 and 400 pounds depending on size and materials. While modern safety features have significantly reduced accidents, garage doors still cause thousands of injuries each year—many of which are preventable with proper awareness and maintenance.
Garage door injuries typically fall into several categories: crushing injuries when doors close on people or objects, injuries from falling doors when springs break, cuts and pinches from moving parts, and electrical hazards from damaged wiring or improper repairs.
Children are particularly vulnerable because they may not understand the dangers, and pets can trigger safety sensors or get caught in closing doors.
Since 1993, all garage door openers sold in the United States have been required to include photo-eye sensors. These devices project an invisible beam across the door opening, and if anything breaks the beam while the door is closing, the door automatically reverses.
Maintenance tip: Clean the sensor lenses monthly with a soft cloth, and ensure they remain properly aligned. The indicator lights should be steady, not blinking.
In addition to photo-eye sensors, openers must include a pressure-sensitive auto-reverse feature. If the door contacts an object while closing, it should immediately stop and reverse direction.
Test monthly: Place a 2x4 board flat on the ground in the door's path. When the door contacts the board, it should reverse within two seconds. If it doesn't, the opener needs adjustment or repair.
Every garage door opener includes a manual release—usually a red cord hanging from the opener rail. This allows you to disconnect the door from the opener and operate it manually during power outages or emergencies.
Know before you need it: Practice using the manual release so you're prepared if an emergency occurs. Teach all adult family members how to use it.
- Never leave the remote control where children can reach it - Install wall-mounted controls at least five feet from the floor - Ensure children understand the garage door is not a toy - Never race the closing door—this teaches dangerous behavior - Keep the door in sight until it completely closes
Teach children these rules and reinforce them regularly: - Never play under or near a moving garage door - Never touch the door when it's moving - Never put fingers near door joints, hinges, or tracks - Tell an adult immediately if the door makes strange noises - Never try to beat the closing door
- Stand clear when the door is moving - Never walk under a partially open door - Keep hands and fingers away from door sections - Report any unusual sounds or behaviors immediately - Never attempt DIY repairs on springs or cables
Professional maintenance should be performed annually, but homeowners should conduct monthly visual inspections looking for frayed cables, worn rollers, or loose hardware, rust or corrosion on springs, gaps in weather sealing, damage to photo-eye sensors, and unusual sounds or movements.
Contact a professional immediately if the door doesn't reverse when it contacts an obstacle, the door falls quickly when released manually, you see broken springs or cables, the door is visibly crooked or off-track, or the opener makes grinding or clicking sounds.
At Garage Door Company Dacono, safety is our top priority. We offer comprehensive safety inspections and can upgrade older systems to meet current safety standards. Protect your family—schedule your safety inspection today.