Child Safety Features: Protecting Your Family
2023-12-28 6 min read
Garage doors are the largest and heaviest moving objects in most homes, weighing anywhere from 150 to over 400 pounds. While modern garage doors include numerous safety features, it's essential for parents to understand these systems and take additional precautions to protect their children. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about keeping your family safe around garage doors.
Understanding the Risks
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, garage doors are involved in approximately 30,000 injuries each year. While serious injuries are rare thanks to modern safety features, children are particularly vulnerable because:
- They may not understand the dangers of a moving door
- They're often at the height of the door's closing path
- They may try to run under a closing door as a game
- They could become trapped between door panels
Mandatory Safety Features
, all garage door openers sold in the United States must include two independent entrapment protection features. Understanding these systems is crucial for every parent:
Photo-Eye Sensors
These sensors are mounted near the floor on either side of your garage door. They project an invisible beam across the door opening. If anything breaks this beam while the door is closing, the door immediately reverses. You can typically identify these sensors by the small lights on each unit.
Test your photo-eye sensors monthly by placing a box in the door's path while it's closing. The door should reverse immediately upon breaking the beam. If it doesn't, the sensors need adjustment or replacement.
Auto-Reverse Feature
This mechanical safety feature causes the door to reverse if it contacts an object while closing. Test this feature monthly by placing a 2x4 flat on the ground where the door closes. The door should reverse within two seconds of contact.
Additional Safety Features to Consider
Motion Detection
Some newer openers include motion detectors that prevent the door from closing if movement is detected in the garage. This adds an extra layer of protection beyond the photo-eye sensors.
Timer-to-Close
This feature automatically closes the door after a set period, reducing the chance of the door being left open. Before closing, the system typically beeps and flashes lights as a warning.
Wall Control Buttons
Install wall control buttons at least five feet from the floor, out of reach of young children. Some modern wall controls include a lock function that disables the remote controls, preventing unsupervised operation.
Teaching Children About Garage Door Safety
Education is one of the most important safety measures. Teach your children:
- Never play with or near the garage door
- Never run under a moving door
- Keep fingers away from door sections and hinges
- Never touch the garage door opener or remote controls
- Tell an adult immediately if something seems wrong with the door
Maintaining Safety Features
Safety features only work if they're properly maintained. We recommend:
- Monthly testing of auto-reverse and photo-eye systems
- Keeping photo-eye sensors clean and properly aligned
- Replacing batteries in remote controls to prevent weak signals
- Annual professional inspection of all safety systems
Upgrading Older Doors
If your garage door opener was manufactured before 1993, it may not include modern safety features. We strongly recommend upgrading to a newer system. The investment is minimal compared to the safety benefits, and newer openers also offer improved security, quieter operation, and smart features.
Professional Safety Inspection
At Garage Door Brinnon, we offer comprehensive safety inspections that test all safety features, identify potential hazards, and ensure your garage door is safe for your entire family. Our technicians can also recommend and install additional safety features if needed.
Your family's safety is our top priority. Call us at ${siteConfig.phone} to schedule a safety inspection or to discuss upgrading your garage door's safety features. With ${siteConfig.yearsExperience}, you can trust us to keep your family safe.