Garage Door Safety: Childproofing and Pet Protection with Garage Style
When it comes to securing your house and making it safe, most people overlook one of the largest moving pieces of machinery in their house – the garage door. If you're a parent, pet owner, or just safety-conscious, being aware of the dangers of garage doors is the optimal way to ensure accidents never happen. At Garage Style, we don’t only install garage doors, but we're also committed to informing homeowners about how they can make their garages more safe.
Understanding the Risks
Garage doors, when not well-maintained or lacking the right safety features, pose real threats, especially to pets and children.
● Crushing Hazards: A closing garage door can cause serious injuries.
● Entrapment: Children or pets may get stuck under or inside the garage.
● Mechanical Failures: Cables, springs, or other hardware can wear out or break.
Childproofing Your Garage Door
Install Safety Sensors
All newly installed garage doors should have safety sensors that will signal them if an object is in the door's path. Test them every month by placing something in the path of the door to ensure it will reverse automatically.
Keep Remotes Out of Reach
Children love pressing buttons. Keep garage door remotes or wall controls well out of reach.
Teach Your Kids
Check your door from time to time for wear and tear. Apply lubrication on moving parts, check for the tension on springs, and ensure it slides effortlessly in opening and closing actions.
Regular Maintenance
Check your door regularly for signs of wear. Lubricate moving parts, check the tension of the springs, and ensure it opens and closes smoothly.
Emergency Release Handle
Leave the emergency release handle accessible to view and guide elder children or members of the family on safe operation.
Keeping Pets Safe Around Garage Doors
Inspect Sensor Placement
Your pet may be lower to the ground than a child, so ensure that sensors are in good placement and will detect smaller things.
Keep Pets Indoors
Try to keep pets indoors when closing or opening the garage door.
Fully Close the Garage Door
Never leave it partially open. This could fool the system and could cause it to move uncontrollably.
Monitor When in the Garage
Always keep an eye on your pet whenever they are near the garage door or within the garage.
Additional Safety Tips
Install Photocells
These create an invisible beam across your garage. When the beam is interrupted, the door will halt and reverse – a must-have feature for homes with kids or pets.
Upgrade to a Smart Opener
Smart garage door openers let you open the door from your phone and alert you if it's been left open or if it strikes an object.
Reinforce or Replace Old Doors
If your garage door is old or does not conform to modern safety standards, then replacing it with a new one that has improved safety features is a good idea.
Garage Style's Garage Door Services
At Garage Style, we offer a full range of garage door services, including:
● Professional garage door installation
● Converting manual garage doors to automatic using mechanical systems
● Regular maintenance to keep doors smoothly and safely running
● Custom solutions tailored to your garage style, from hexagon lighting to garage flooring like vented floor tiles, PVC modular tiles, and workshop flooring
We help you not only improve safety but also improve the overall look and functionality of your garage. Whether you're in need of a new garage door or a full garage makeover, Garage Style has you covered.
FAQs: Garage Door Safety & Garage Style Services
What does Garage Style do?
We specialise in garage flooring, garage door installs, garage lighting, and full garage transformations, offering bespoke solutions with both safety and style in mind.
Why is garage door safety important?
Your garage door is the largest, heaviest movable object in your home. Routine maintenance and proper safety features can prevent accidents, especially involving kids and pets.
What’s the difference between manual and automatic garage doors?
Manual doors require manual power to open/close, while automatic garage doors may be controlled from a distance and are safer through inbuilt sensors and smart functionality.
Can Garage Style convert my manual garage door into an automatic one?
Absolutely! We can add mechanical units to convert your existing manual garage door into an automatic one to make it more convenient and safe.
Why should I service my garage door regularly?
Regular maintenance helps identify wear and tear before hand, ensures all the safety features are in proper working condition, and extends the life of your garage door.
Do you only work on residential garages?
Not at all! We also service industrial and commercial floor and garage doors, including installing PVC Smooth Tiles, Vented Floor Tiles, and Raised Disk PVC Tiles.
How can I make my garage safer for kids and pets?
Fit safety sensors and photocells, inform children of the risks, ensure remotes are out of reach, and install a new garage door with safety features.
Investing in a safer, more functional garage door isn’t just smart – it’s essential. Whether you’re looking to childproof your space, upgrade to an automatic garage door, or just want a more stylish, secure garage, Garage Style is here to help.
Ready to improve your garage? Contact us today or explore our full range of garage door services and flooring options.