Garage doors are undeniably convenient, but it’s important to remember that they operate under intense amounts of pressure.
A garage door that isn’t regularly maintained can pose a great threat to children. Furthermore, There are also many sharp tools and components on a garage door which, if not handled properly, could cause accidents. By childproofing the riskier areas of your house you can help prevent these unwanted mishaps from happening and keep your family safe.
Above all, you should childproof your garage door since it is the largest moving part in your house. Now, the question is how to keep children safe around garage doors? Fortunately, there are several ways you can do it!
Educate your children
In order to keep your children safe, it is important to communicate with them about the dangers of garage doors. Help them understand that garage doors are not toys and they should not be part of any games they play.
The information you teach your children should include:
- Children should never ride the garage door when it is opening.
- It is dangerous to race under the doors as they are closing.
- The kids should not leave their toys or bikes in the way of the garage door.
- They should never touch the door or its various components and parts.
- Keep children at a safe distance when the door is in use.
Tell your kids sternly that garage doors are very heavy and they can get hurt if they play around them.
Conduct a regular maintenance
The best way to make sure your garage door is always running smoothly is by staying on top of its maintenance. You should occasionally check that all the parts are still in working condition and intact. Garage doors often have worn out springs, cables, or other vital components.
Consider hiring a professional technician to fix small, unnoticeable issues before they cause accidents. You can contact a reputable company such as Garage Door Repair Joliet IL and not only will this keep you and your family safe, but it will also prolong the life of your garage door.
Booking a professional tune-up for your car every 6 months or once per year can save you money because the technicians can spot small problems before they get worse.
Use the Reverse Mechanism and Check the Photo Sensors
The reverse mechanism is crucial because your garage door will automatically return to its original position if there’s an obstacle in the way. If your garage door doesn’t have this safety feature, you should consider adding it.
To keep your reverse mechanism in good condition, it is necessary to test it at least once a month. Test the door by blocking it with an object (like a piece of wood) and then try to close it. If the door reverses, then you know that your reverse mechanism is still functional.
Alternatively, your photo sensor may have difficulty detecting blockages if the reverse function isn’t working. You can clean or wipe the sensor to remove any cobwebs or dust that might be causing an issue.
If your garage door’s reverse mechanism is broken, it’s time to call a professional technician for repairs.
Keep the Opener and Remote out of reach
Children love to play with anything they can press, including buttons. You may give them a warning not to touch the remote for garage doors, but you cannot always ascertain that they won’t play with it. Thus, storing your remote control out of your children’s reach is a smart way to prevent them from playing with the garage door.
To make your garage safer for young children, it is recommended that you move your garage door opener to a place where they can’t reach it. You can hire a technician to do this job for you.
Seal the gaps of your Garage Door
Closing the garage door leaves small gaps underneath. Thus, it is crucial to seal these gaps with a rubber weather-stripping so that your garage door will close completely.
A small gap can lure kids to put their tiny hands underneath the door where they might get stuck or, even worse, accidentally injured. By sealing the gaps, you can prevent any potential accidents and also create better insulation for your garage.
Conclusion
Keep your home safe for your children by ensuring there are no hazards. Begin with the bigger dangers, such as garage doors—the largest moving piece in a house. Also, make sure to educate your kids on what could happen if they play around the garage door without supervision.
Furthermore, scheduling regular check-ups and repairs will help to prevent sudden malfunctions that could result in serious accidents. To ensure high-quality services, only hire reputable companies with skilled and dependable technicians who can provide garage door spring repair, track adjustment, as well as other maintenance services.
