Your garage door is the largest and heaviest moving object in your home — weighing anywhere from 150 to over 400 pounds. When properly maintained and used correctly, it's perfectly safe. But when safety features fail or when children and pets are left unsupervised, serious accidents can happen.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are approximately 20,000 garage door-related injuries each year in the United States. Many of these injuries involve children and pets. The good news is that most accidents are preventable with proper safety practices and regular maintenance.
1. Monthly Safety Feature Testing
The most important thing you can do to protect your family is test your garage door's safety features every month. This takes less than 5 minutes and could save a life.
Test the Auto-Reverse System
Place a 2x4 piece of wood (or a rolled-up towel) flat on the ground in the path of the closing door. Close the door using the wall button or remote. When the door contacts the object, it must immediately reverse direction and return to the open position. If the door doesn't reverse, call DoorUp immediately for repair — your safety system is failing.
Test the Photoelectric Sensors
With the door fully open, close the door using the remote. While the door is closing, wave a broom handle or your leg in front of one of the photo eye sensors (the small boxes mounted near the floor on both sides of the door). The door should immediately stop and reverse direction. If it doesn't, your sensors are misaligned or malfunctioning.
2. Keep Remote Controls Out of Children's Reach
Children are naturally curious and love pushing buttons. Garage door remotes look like toys to young children. Always keep remotes on a high hook, in a locked drawer, or in your vehicle's glove compartment. Never leave remotes on countertops or tables where children can reach them.
Consider installing a wall-mounted keypad that requires a code to operate. This eliminates the need for handheld remotes that can be lost or found by children. Wall buttons should be mounted at least 5 feet above the floor, out of reach of small children.
3. Never Allow Children to Play Near or Under the Garage Door
Children should understand that the garage door is not a toy. Teach your children to:
- Never stand, walk, or play under an open or moving garage door
- Never hang from garage door handles or hardware
- Never try to race through the door as it's closing
- Never touch the garage door opener buttons or remotes
- Never put fingers or objects between door sections
4. Protect Your Pets
Pets are especially vulnerable to garage door accidents because they're small, fast, and often hard to see. Follow these pet safety guidelines:
- Install motion-activated lights in the garage to see pets clearly at night
- Train pets to wait until the door is fully open before entering or exiting
- Check under the door before closing — pets can slip under quickly
- Consider pet-specific photo eye sensors that detect small animals
- Never leave pets unattended in the garage with the door operating
- Use the "vacation mode" on smart openers when you're away to prevent accidental openings
5. Emergency Release Safety
The emergency release cord allows you to manually operate the door during a power outage. However, it can be a safety concern if children can reach it. Here's what you need to know:
- Pull the release cord only when the door is fully closed, not when it's open
- Never let children play with the release cord
- If the door is disconnected from the opener, it could fall suddenly
- After reconnecting, run a full cycle to ensure proper re-engagement
- Consider installing a release lock if you're concerned about security
6. Regular Professional Safety Inspections
While monthly DIY testing is essential, nothing replaces a professional safety inspection. At DoorUp, our technicians check:
- Auto-reverse sensitivity and timing
- Photo eye sensor alignment and function
- Spring tension and balance (improperly balanced doors are dangerous)
- Cable condition and proper tension
- Hardware tightness (loose bolts can cause doors to fall)
- Emergency release operation
- Opener force settings
7. Smart Safety Upgrades to Consider
Modern technology offers additional safety features that provide peace of mind:
- Smart openers with smartphone alerts: Get notifications every time your door opens or closes. Know immediately if someone left the door open.
- Automatic timers: Set your door to automatically close after a certain time (great for forgetful family members).
- Battery backup systems: Operate your door during power outages (you're never trapped).
- Pet-safe sensors: Advanced sensors detect small animals and prevent the door from closing on them.
- Tamper-resistant remotes: Prevent children from operating the door with rolling code technology.
8. Spring Safety — Know the Dangers
Garage door springs are under extreme tension — up to 400 pounds of force. A breaking spring can cause catastrophic injury. Never attempt DIY spring repair. Signs that springs are dangerous:
- Visible gaps in torsion springs (indicates breakage)
- Rust or corrosion on springs
- Door feels very heavy to lift manually
- Door drops quickly when opening or closing
- Loud bang sounds from the garage (spring has broken)
If you notice any of these signs, stop using the door immediately and call DoorUp for emergency service.
9. Teach Family Members Emergency Procedures
Every family member who can drive or use the garage door should know:
- How to use the emergency release cord
- How to manually operate the door if the opener fails
- What the safety sensors look like and where they're located
- When to call for professional help (and DoorUp's phone number: (619) 666-6054)
10. Keep the Garage Door in Good Working Order
A well-maintained door is a safe door. Follow these maintenance guidelines:
- Lubricate moving parts every 6 months (springs, rollers, hinges)
- Tighten loose hardware annually
- Replace worn weather seals immediately
- Keep tracks clean and free of debris
- Replace opener batteries in remotes and keypads yearly
- Schedule professional tune-ups every 12-18 months
Garage Door Safety FAQ
Q: How old does a garage door have to be before it's considered unsafe?
A: Age alone isn't the issue — condition matters. However, doors manufactured before 1993 lack mandatory safety features like automatic reverse sensors. If your door is pre-1993, replace it immediately.
Q: Can a garage door crush a car?
A: Yes, with enough force. A 400-pound door can cause significant damage to a vehicle. This is why auto-reverse sensors are critical.
Q: How often should I replace my garage door opener?
A: Quality openers last 10-15 years. If yours is older, consider upgrading to a modern smart opener with enhanced safety features.
Q: Does DoorUp offer safety inspections?
A: Absolutely. Our comprehensive safety inspection checks every component of your garage door system. Schedule yours today →