We use garages to lock our cars and bearings from outsiders, keeping our possessions safe. For years we have used them and usually without a hitch. However, they are very heavy objects that are capable of falling at any time. It just takes a spring to break or some defect in the tracking system to allow one to come crashing down upon anything in its path.
The injuries that can result can be quite serious. The following sections will provide tips that can help your family avoid the potential problems caused by garage doors and allow you to enjoy the safety that they are meant to provide.
Teach Your Children About these Potential Dangers
Harm to children caused by these common household appliances happen pretty infrequently, but that does not mean that it does not happen and that it will not happen to you or someone in your family. Children are naturally most susceptible to these accidents because of their size. For this reason, it is important to make them aware of the potential risks of the garage door. Some things that you should tell your children are:
- Never stand under a garage door, especially for an extended period of time. This means that your children should not be playing near one or the risk of physical damage will increase.
- Never run under the door when it is closing. Most door opens these days are designed with sensors to detect motion benefit the door when it is closing or to stop if it hits anything, but these are features that could malfunction. It is safer to wait for the door to close and then reopen it so you can pass through the door.
Things Adults Can Do to Reduce the Risk
If you would like to avoid any garage door malfunction, it is important to inspect your door's opening system periodically. If you are not sure how to inspect your system, the list below should help:
- Test the safety features, such as the motion sensors. You can test the sensors by placing something under the door and trying to close the door. If it does not react appropriately then you know you have a problem and you should get a repairman to look at it.
- Check for signs of wear and tear. You should check the cables, pulleys, springs and tracks to be sure that there is no obvious sign of wear and tear that could be potentially dangerous. If there is, you should again find a repairman to help you fix the problem.
When all of these tips are followed, the odds of a serious accident are very small indeed. Unfortunately, defective equipment can be a threat to anyone, even those who act responsibly.