When it comes to operating your garage door, you and your family’s safety is paramount. Often, though, homeowners take their garage door safety features for granted. If you’re not in the habit of testing your garage door’s safety mechanisms for proper functionality, there’s no time like the present to start. At Door Power, we know how critical garage door safety features are, so today, we’re giving you a quick rundown on four essential safety mechanisms and how to determine if your door features them. Let’s take a look.
Auto-Reverse Functionality
Did you know garage doors are responsible for approximately 20,000 ER visits every year? Alarming, right? So, in 1993, federal law mandated that all garage doors sold in the United States feature a safety mechanism to auto-reverse the door when objects stand in its path toward the ground. If your garage door was manufactured after 1993, it should feature this critical safety mechanism; however, prior to the federal mandate, auto-reverse was an optional door addition.
If your door is a bit antiquated or you operate it manually, it likely lacks this essential feature, which heightens you and your family’s risk of door-related injuries. If you’re not sure whether your garage door features auto-reverse, simply examine the door for the presence of photo-eye sensors. If your door doesn’t have them, you’ll need to contact a garage door repair specialist to install the parts. For your family’s safety, you should never operate a garage door without auto-reverse functionality.
Motion-Detecting Photo-Eye Sensors
Photo-eye sensors function to detect motion in the path of your garage door. When the sensors detect movement, they communicate with the garage door opener to cease the door’s motion, whether it is traveling up or down.
As mentioned, a garage door’s auto-reverse function relies on the presence of photo-eye sensors, so if your door does not currently feature this safety mechanism, for your safety, it’s a smart idea to have sensors installed. Your local garage door company can retrofit your door with photo-eye sensors and integrate them with an auto-reverse feature to help keep you and your family safe.
Manual Control
Manual garage door control allows you to bypass the garage door motor and operate the door manually, which comes in handy in the event of a power outage or mechanical door failure. If you own an electric garage door, it should already be equipped for manual operation, which you can easily activate by pulling down on the red emergency cord to disconnect the door from the motor.
One thing to note: For your safety, it is CRITICAL that the door remains in the closed position when activating manual operation. If the door is even partially open, pulling down on the emergency cord can cause the door to fall quickly, which can result in serious injury or even death.
Need to Update Your Garage Door Safety Features? Contact Door Power
At Door Power, we’ve been providing comprehensive garage door maintenance and repair for homeowners throughout Norwood, MN and the surrounding areas for over 50 years. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your garage door safety features, or you’re in the market for new garage door installation, our experienced, qualified technicians are here to get the job done right. To learn more about our garage door repair, maintenance, and installation services, give our team a call at 952-467-3199 or reach out to us on our contact page. For your convenience, you can also request a service appointment online.