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Here
are some helpful safety tips. This list is not intended to be a comprehensive
list of every safety precaution. Always consult your manufacturer’s
installation or instruction manual for safety information about your model.
| FOR
GARAGE DOORS |
- Replace
Old Springs.
Your garage door’s springs are arguably the most important
and most dangerous part of your door. Springs wear out. When they
break, injury can result. If you have an older garage door, have
your springs inspected by a professional technician and replaced
if needed. If your door has two springs, replace both, even if
one is not broken. This will not only prevent any damage caused
by the breaking of the second spring, but also keep your door
working efficiently.
- Check
Your Cables.
Visually inspect the cables that attach the spring system to the
bottom brackets on both sides of the door. If these cables are
frayed or worn, they are in danger of breaking, which can cause
injury. Due to the dangers associated with high spring tension,
these cables should be replaced only by a trained technician.
- Squeaky
Springs?
Springs can squeak and be noisy. This is caused by normal use
and does not necessarily indicate a problem. Before calling a
professional service technician, use a spray-on lubricant (recommended
especially for garage doors). If the noise persists, call a professional
garage door installer for service.
- A
Do-It-Yourselfer, Eh? Installing a garage
door can be very dangerous and is not recommended for a novice.
DASMA recommends that trained door systems technicians install
garage doors. If you attempt the installation by yourself, be
sure to follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions
carefully.
- Safety
Cables. If your garage door has extension
springs, you need a safety cable that runs through the spring
and secures to the wall or ceiling at each end. When your garage
door is down, extension springs are under high tension. If the
spring breaks, it may cause injury. A safety cable can keep that
broken spring contained. If you have extension springs but do
not have a safety cable, call your local dealer for a safety inspection.
- Struggling
Door?
If your door does not go up and down smoothly, you may have an
unsafe condition. Even older door systems should operate smoothly.
If the awkward operation continues when the door is manually operated,
you may have a spring system that is out of balance. This can
cause premature wear and tear on other important door components.
Spring systems are dangerous and should be repaired only by trained
professionals.
- Watch
Your Fingers! Every
year, many unsuspecting homeowners injure their fingers by placing
them between the door sections to pull down on the door. According
to DASMA Standard 116, if your door lacks pinch-resistant joints,
you should have lift handles or suitable gripping points on the
inside and outside of the door. Even if your door has an opener,
the door must occasionally be operated manually. Never place
your fingers between the door sections. If you manually open
or close the door, use the handles or the safe gripping points!
- Tamper
Resistant Brackets.
Since the bottom brackets on a garage door are connected to the
door’s springs, these brackets are under extreme tension.
They should be adjusted or loosened only by a trained door systems
technician. Many manufacturers now include tamper resistant hardware
that prevents loosening of the brackets by a novice.
- Use
the Old Track? When buying a replacement
garage door, some homeowners are tempted to save a few dollars
by putting the new door on the old track. However, your old track
may not fit with your new door, depending on the thickness of
your sections, the weight of the door, the headroom required,
the location of the garage door opener, and other considerations.
The track and sections work together as a system. For maximum
performance and long life, you should use the track that is designed
for your specific door.
- Regular
Service. Your
garage door is probably the largest moving part in your home and
is typically used every day. Over time, parts can wear out and
break, creating potential safety problems. Although you should
provide monthly safety checks and maintenance
to your garage door system, an annual visit from a trained door
systems technician can keep your door operating safely and smoothly
for a long time.
- Man
the Manual. Keep the owner's manuals
for your door and opener hanging near the door for easy reference.
Every model of door and opener has specific safety instructions
unique to that model. Where is your manual?
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