Garage door safety- Essential features to protect your home and family

The garage door is one of the largest moving parts in your home and plays a critical role in providing security, convenience, and protection. However, due to its size and mechanical nature, a garage door is safely maintained or equipped with safety features. As a homeowner, it’s crucial to these features and your garage door system is up-to-date to safeguard your property and loved ones

Auto-reverse mechanism

The most important safety feature in modern garage door systems is the auto-reverse mechanism. This feature is designed to prevent the door from closing on objects, people, or pets that may be in its path. Garage doors manufactured after 1993 are required by law to have this safety feature. The auto-reverse mechanism works through two sensors, typically located on either side of the garage door opening, about six inches above the ground. These sensors emit an invisible beam of infrared light that detects obstructions.

Manual release handle

For a power outage or mechanical failure, it’s to manually operate your garage door. This is where the manual release handle comes into play. Usually located near the front of the garage door track, this handle allows you to disengage the door from the motorized opener, lift and close the door. It’s crucial to familiarize yourself and your family members with the location and operation of the manual release handle. In an emergency, this knowledge is invaluable in safely exiting the garage or accessing your vehicle.

Reinforced mounting brackets

The mounting brackets are responsible for securely attaching your williamson best garage doors to the walls of your garage. Over time, these brackets weaken due to wear and tear, vibrations, or improper installation. Reinforced mounting brackets provide an extra layer of strength and durability, reducing the risk of the garage door detaching from the wall. The installing a new garage door or replacing old brackets, opt for reinforced versions made from high-quality, corrosion-resistant materials. Properly installed reinforced mounting brackets withstand the daily stresses placed on your garage door system, providing long-lasting safety and reliability.

Cable safety device

Garage door cables play a vital role in the balance and operation of your door. However, if a cable snaps or becomes loose, it causes the door to close unevenly or even fall, potentially causing damage or injury. A cable safety device is designed to prevent this from happening. This device typically consists of a cable containment system that captures a snapped or loose cable, preventing it from causing harm. Some cable safety devices also feature a tension monitor that alerts you when the cables require adjustment or replacement.

Tamper-resistant brackets

Tamper-resistant brackets are designed to prevent unauthorized access to your garage door. These brackets make it difficult for intruders to manipulate the emergency release handle from the outside, which could otherwise be used to disengage the door from the motorized opener and manually lift the door. Installing tamper-resistant brackets is a simple yet effective security for your garage door. They are particularly useful if your garage door is equipped with windows or if the emergency release handle is easily accessible from the outside.