It turns out that garage doors have made of lot of safety advances over the years. While this is a really good thing, it also means that many garage doors are no longer up to par that is why it is important to learn how to test garage door sensors for safety. This post is sponsored by LiftMaster, the number one brand of professionally installed residential garage door openers, to raise awareness about garage doors that lack the latest safety features. I have included a simple 3 step garage door safety checklist. All opinions expressed are my own.
LiftMaster Garage Door Safety Campaign- Don’t Chance It. Check It.
Industry professionals estimate that one out of 15 garage door openers lack the latest safety features. That is a pretty high percentage! Though most people consider garage door openers to be a necessity due to the convenience, security and safety they provide, a lot has changed in the last 30 years and many garage door openers need safety updates.
If your garage door opener was made before 1993, it needs safety updates! In 1993, a new law mandated that all garage door openers be manufactured and sold with an external protection system otherwise known as infrared sensors or “photo-eyes”. These garage door sensors were mandated in order to reduce the number of deaths to children trapped under garage doors and to protect people and property from being harmed by closing garage doors. Quite an important safety measure! You can look for these garage door sensors near the floor on either side of the garage door opening. If your garage door opener does not have this feature, it’s time to get a new opener to keep your family safe.
Simple 3-Step Garage Door Safety Checklist
Since the garage door is the heaviest and largest moving object in a home, it can be a serious hazard if it is not functioning properly. The 3-Step Safety Check is a simple 45-second test you can perform on your garage door that checks the performance of key industry-standard safety features such as the photo eyes and auto-reverse.
You can make sure your garage door opener is operating safely and properly with LiftMaster’s 3-Step Safety Check. This garage door safety checklist works on any garage door! You can watch the video below to see how to perform this quick garage door safety check and you can also read about it for reminders below.
How To Test Garage Door Safety Sensors
Step 1 – Check the sides of the garage door for properly installed photo eyes (black sensors) mounted no higher than 6 inches off the floor.
Step 2 – Block the photo eye with an object over 6 inches tall and press the garage door
openers’ close button. The door should not close.
Step 3 – Lay a 1.5 inch-high object on the ground in the door’s path and press the close
button. The door should reverse off this object.
If you have questions about garage door safety or to learn more about safe garage inspection , visit liftmaster.com/For-Homes/Garage-Safety
Other Garage Safety Tips:
-An organized garage will help keep tools, chemicals and sharp objects out of the reach of children.
-Do not allow car to run in the garage for longer than it takes to pull in or out (in order to prevent carbon monoxide build up).
I hope you found these tips for garage safety useful. Did you do the 3 simple steps for how to test garage door sensors and help ensure your family’s safety?
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Uplifting Families says
This is a great idea. I remember a long time ago that we would run under the garage as it was closing. Probably not the brightest idea but we did it growing up.
Jeffrey Alexander Mandel says
Wow OK pretty good tips.
Genevie says
This is awesome. I’m happy to see this video I really need for my garage for my family also to keep safety. thanks for sharing with us
J-F Morin says
Hi Scarlet,
Technology is correct… therefore homeowners should keep their garage secure too.