Residential Garage Door Safety Areas, Part 1

As generally the single largest piece of moving equipment in a given home, a garage door requires some basic attention when it comes to safety. One doesn’t have to walk on eggshells anytime the garage is in use, of course, but the wrong bits of laziness or inattention can turn a simple operation into a dangerous situation in a hurry.

At Crawford Door Sales, we design all our residential garage doors with simplicity and safety in mind, regardless of whether you’re looking at our steel garage door selection or our wood, glass or foam-injected options. Keeping yourself and your family safe around the garage door doesn’t have to be a major stress point if you just consider a few simple basics, most of which relate back to common sense. In part one of this two-part blog, we’ll go over some of the primary safety areas to keep track of when it comes to your garage door.

Children and Garages

Homes with younger children in them are those that generally need to be most diligent about garage door safety, as such children can have trouble processing the dangers of a misused garage door. The primary goal for parents here is setting an early baseline for children that states the following: The garage door, and any related components, are not toys and should never be used as such.

This applies to not only the door itself, but also any remotes, operating systems or hanging elements. Children should learn as early as they’re capable of entering this area that this kind of play is not safe under any circumstances, and you may have to install punishments if they still can’t stay away. Rules to set also include never running, standing or playing near the garage door, particularly when it’s moving.

Access

Down similar lines, we recommend simply limiting child access to garage door components altogether. Your in-garage wall control for the door should be mounted at least five feet in the air so small children can’t reach it, and remotes should be kept away from their curious hands. If at all possible, also limit any hanging or other components of the garage that children are able to touch or interact with.

Moving Garage Doors

Older children and adults shouldn’t have to be reminded as often or as firmly, but it’s important to remember never to try to interact with the door or its area when it’s in motion. This includes trying to sneak out the bottom of the door after closing it from the inside, a practice that may seem like good fun until someone gets trapped under a heavy garage door.

Door View

When opening and closing your garage door, especially if you have small children or pets in the home, always keep the door in view until it’s completely open or closed. This ensures nothing disrupts the door’s movement and that no one runs underneath it.

For more on basic residential garage door safety elements, or to learn about any of our garage door products, speak to the staff at Crawford Door Sales today.