subject: Important Safety Tips For Overhead Door San Diego Citizens Should Know [print this page] In the typical home, garage doors are the largest moving part. The weight of such doors along with their size, can create a safety hazard, especially if they are not correctly maintained or installed. Unless one gives proper maintenance to the overhead door San Diego homeowners face the possibility of serious injury to themselves as well as to others.
In addition to the annual service, owners should make some checks each month. Visually inspect the pulleys, springs, cables, rollers and other hardware for sighs of excess wear. If problems are suspected, the system needs to be inspected and any repairs that are needed should be completed by a trained technician.
It is important to keep areas surrounding doors clear. Do not place fingers or other body parts in tracks when doors are opening or closing. Additionally, keep away from joints and hinges. Moving doors can cause serious pinches and even more serious injuries such as loss of limbs or life.
It is important that children understand transmitters, switches and remote controls are not toys. Transmitters and controls should be kept away from children. The wall mounted switch should be placed high enough that it cannot be reached by a child.
Owners should avoid operating doors when they cannot be seen. Operators should wait until units close completely before backing out of driveways. This allows the user to see if a child or pet accidentally runs through the opening while units are closing.
One of the safety features is the reversing mechanism. Anytime doors strike an object when closing, they should reverse for the safety of people. One test is to use a roll of paper towels in the opening. If the opening device does not reverse upon contact with the roll without crushing it, the the owner should call for service in order to make any necessary adjustments to ensure safety is continued.
The balance of doors should be checked monthly. With release the chain from the opener and lift doors. They should operate smoothly and there should be little resistance. When the individual stops lifting, units should stay open. If it does not lift smoothly or remain open, it is time to call for service to have the springs adjusted.
Many units have a safety beam across located at the bottom of the opening. Objects passing through the the beam should stop the automatic opener and reverse the action. Owners can use the handle of a broom to pass through the beam in order to ensure operation. If the unit does not reverse, be sure to call the service company.
