| Your emergency garage door safety is important. | | | | immediately. Even old doors should open and close |
| That thing is heavy, and like anything else in the | | | | smoothly. |
| house, it can get old and parts can get worn. Here | | | | 7. Test Its Switch Sometimes |
| are 10 tips to keep it healthy and safe. | | | | All garage doors have an emergency switch that |
| 1. Read All Installation Instructions Carefully. | | | | keeps it from crushing whatever is underneath. |
| Installation's a big job, and if you're not up to the | | | | Occasionally, you should put a small object under |
| task, it's a good idea to hire a professional. If you | | | | it and try to close it on it. It should stop before it |
| decide to do it yourself, follow the instruction | | | | hits the object. If not, you need repairs. |
| manual perfectly. | | | | 8. Lubricate |
| 2. Read All Owners' Manuals. | | | | Like all parts that move on any machine, your |
| Whether you install or don't install, read your | | | | garage door needs routine lubrication. It depends |
| owner's manual from front to back. There's | | | | on the make and model, so follow the instruction |
| emergency garage door information in there that | | | | manuals and keep a schedule. |
| can help prevent future problems. | | | | 9. Don't Operate It When Anything (Including |
| 3. Get The Springs Changed Routinely | | | | People) Is Near It |
| 4. Don't Mess With The Springs Yourself | | | | Even though it's supposed to catch, garage doors |
| Springs require regular maintenance, but they're | | | | malfunction just like anything else. In general, keep |
| very dangerous. They're made up of spring coils | | | | things and people that you love away from the |
| that are wound tightly. This means they're under | | | | door when opening and closing. |
| lots of pressure. Serious injury could occur from | | | | 10. Kid-Proof |
| improper handling. | | | | Keep the wall switch high enough so that little |
| 5. Check Cables | | | | hands can't reach it, and keep the remote control |
| From time to time, check your cables for visible | | | | safe. Make sure they understand it's not a toy |
| wear. Most emergency situations are easily | | | | and they should be careful around the garage |
| avoided by regular maintenance. Worn cables are | | | | door. Don't let them play Indiana Jones, sliding |
| a major source of trouble, including injuries. | | | | under the door just in the nick of time. |
| 6. Pay Attention To How It Runs | | | | Follow these safety tips, and keep your machine |
| If there's anything funny about how it opens or | | | | properly maintained. Study your owners' manuals, |
| closes, you've got a problem. Don't treat it lightly. | | | | be safe, and enjoy this addition to your home for |
| This is a potential safety issue, so take care of it | | | | many years to come. |