Your garage door is the largest moving element of your home, and if you have young children and pets, it’s important to consider their safety around it. Ensuring that your garage door and opener are functioning properly and putting safety measures in place are key elements to preventing injuries associated with garage doors.
Our team at Amega Garage Doors & Openers has worked in the industry for a long time, so we know how important a safe, well-functioning garage door is for Iowa families.
Educate Your Family About Garage Door Safety
If your children are old enough, sit down with them to go over garage door safety and some dos and don’ts if they’re playing in the garage or driveway. Explain to them that the garage door is not a toy and it shouldn’t be messed around with.
You may also want to emphasize that they should always stay away from moving parts and keep their hands, feet, and toys clear of the door’s path.
Keep Remote Controls out of Reach or Wall-Mount Them
Even after you’ve established some house rules about playing safely around the garage door, you should still keep garage openers and remotes stored out of reach. Your child may not know what the remote is for and accidentally activate the door, or your pet could simply push it on accident.
Place wall-mounted controls at least five feet above the ground so your younger children and pets can’t reach them, and if your remote isn’t mounted, store it somewhere secure where it’s only easily accessible to you.
Install Safety Sensors & Regularly Check Them
It is the law that modern garage door openers come with safety sensors that are designed to detect if there’s anything in the path of the door if it’s closing. If your door has an opener installed prior to the law taking effect and doesn’t have this safety feature, we highly recommend having it installed or upgrading your garage door opener.
Even if your garage door does have safety sensors, you should check them regularly to ensure they’re working properly. Test the sensor by placing an object under your door and then trying to close it. If the door doesn’t reverse as it gets closer to the object or makes contact, call Amega for a tune-up.
Install a Pet or Baby Gate From Your Home to the Garage
If your pet often bolts as soon as you open the door from your home into the garage, consider installing a gate as an extra layer of security. This way, you can either step over the gate or at least have another moment to ensure the garage door is safely open or closed before your pet makes a run for it.
The bonus: The gate will not only be great for your pets but also for young children who are just starting to walk and roam the house more freely.
Supervise Your Children & Pets Around Your Garage Door
At the end of the day, supervision is key. Always keep an eye on your kids and pets when they are near the garage door—even if you’ve taken all the necessary precautions. If you have any concerns or you know the door may open or close, don’t leave your kids and pets unattended in the garage or driveway.
Have Amega Perform Regular Inspections
Ensuring that your garage door and opener are both in great working condition is one of the best ways to keep your kids and pets safe. If you notice any signs of wear and tear, such as worn-out cables or loose springs, contact us at Amega right away.
Regular inspections and repairs keep your garage door running smoothly, which means safe and effective use of it every time. You can’t beat that peace of mind!