As summer winds down and families prepare for the back-to-school season, it’s the perfect time to conduct a garage door safety review. With kids soon using the garage to let themselves in and out on their way to school, catching the bus, or coming home after activities, ensuring your garage door operates safely is crucial.
Why This Safety Review Matters
Many families rely on garage access for their daily school routines. Kids often enter through the garage when parents aren’t home, making a properly functioning safety system essential. After a summer of increased activity, your garage door needs a thorough safety check before becoming part of the daily school routine.
Essential Safety Checks
Test the Auto-Reverse Feature Place an object like a roll of paper towels where the door closes. The door should immediately reverse when it contacts the object. This feature is critical when kids are rushing to catch the bus.
Check Photo-Eye Sensors Clean and align the sensors located six inches from the ground on each side. Test by waving a broom handle between them while closing – the door should reverse immediately.
Inspect Door Balance and Moving Parts With the opener disconnected, a properly balanced door should stay halfway open when manually lifted. Check springs, cables, and rollers for wear, rust, or damage.
Test All Remotes and Controls Ensure garage door remotes and keypads work properly. Consider programming a keypad entry code that kids can use safely when coming home from school.
Teaching Back-to-School Safety
Before school starts, reinforce these safety rules:
-
Never run under a moving garage door
-
Wait for the door to completely open or close before walking through
-
Keep backpacks and sports equipment clear of the door’s path
-
Always look both ways before backing out when parents are driving to school
When Kids Use Garage Access
If your children will be using the garage entrance for school:
-
Teach them to use the wall button, not remotes
-
Show them how to manually open the door in an emergency
-
Ensure they understand never to force a door that isn’t working properly
-
Consider installing motion-sensor lighting for safety
Don’t Wait – Call the Professionals
If your safety review reveals any issues, contact Above & Beyond Door Systems immediately. Our experienced technicians can address problems before the school year begins, ensuring your family’s daily routine runs smoothly and safely.
Schedule your pre-school garage door inspection today. As your trusted Northeast Ohio garage door experts serving Akron, Canton, and surrounding communities, we’re here to keep your family safe all year long.
Call Above & Beyond Door Systems – because a safe garage door means peace of mind for the whole family.
Above & Beyond Door Systems
-
Phone: (330) 867-2829
-
Serving: Akron, Canton, and Northeast Ohio
-
Emergency Service: 24/7
Your trusted local garage door experts!