When thinking of Garage Door Safety Tips, most people don’t think of wildfires having an impact on them.  However due to the Wildfires in California in 2018, legislation was passed in California that stated that any electric garage door openers newly sold or installed would be required to have backup batteries equipped to power them in event of a utility outage.

This was due to many residents who struggled to open their garage doors during wildscale power outages that came with a firestorm in October 2018.  5 people who died in the North Bay during the fires did not or could not escape through their garages.  “Requiring backup batteries on garage door openers will save lives and ensure no one is left vulnerable,” Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa said in a statement.

Kansas City Garage Door Safety Tips

Though we are in the Kansas City Metro don’t have to worry about wildfires, we do have to understand garage door safety.  Here are 7 things every homeowner in Kansas City should know about garage door safety.

1. Make sure everyone especially the children know that garage doors are not toys and are dangerous. If misused they can cause serious injury even death.
2. It is important to keep your fingers and hands away from door sections when the door is opening or closing to avoid injury.
3. You should try to keep your garage door properly maintained.  This ensures that it is operating safely. Getting annual maintenance or tune up by a trained service technician is highly recommended.
4. A garage door is heavy and operates on electricity.  Though you may think you can fix it on your own, some repairs require a trained service technician.  Never attempt to repair a garage door’s springs or cables. These are under extreme tension and can cause severe injury
5. If your garage door is ever backed into, even though it seems like it is operating properly, it is best to get it serviced. There could be issues that you may not be aware of that a trained service technician can spot.  This could save you from a mishap or injury.
6. Keep track of all your remote controls, so that children or potential burglars cannot get to them.  You say how can a burglar get my remote to my garage door?  Many people park their car outside during the day and sometime at night leaving access to the remote control.  This happens more often than you would think
7. Since 1991 all garage door openers must have a reversing mechanism that makes a door change direction when it touches something in its path. It is a good idea to test the auto-reverse by opening the garage door and placing something like a book or a roll of paper towels on its side below the center of the door. Push the button to close the garage door and the door should reverse when it touches the object. If not, adjust the door’s downward force.

If you need help with the safety standards of your garage door or there is damaged beyond repair, Team Taylor Doors can help. Learn about garage door installation services here.