Garage doors are a big part of most homes. They give you convenience, security, and easy access. But like any mechanical system, a garage door can be dangerous if it is not used and serviced properly. At Trinity, we care about doors that look great and stay safe to use.
Here are some simple tips to help you keep your garage door safe and avoid accidents that could put your family at risk.
★★★★★ 5.0 on Google, 597 reviewsA+BBB AccreditedLICENSED · BONDED · INSURED · FL GD13010 / GDI-09484Knowing how to open your door by hand during a power outage or bad weather is important.
Find the red manual release cord. It hangs from the door's trolley and is easy to spot. Learn how the pull disconnects the opener so you can lift the door by hand.
The emergency release can save a life if someone is ever trapped under a door.
Make sure every adult in the house knows how to use it, and test it now and then so you know it moves freely.
A door that is opening or closing can cause serious injury.
Make it a house rule that no one, especially children, stands near the door while it moves. Wait until the door is all the way open before you walk or drive through.
Kids are curious, and a remote can look like a toy.
Store remotes and key fobs somewhere children cannot get to them, and keep wall buttons out of their reach too.
Wall buttons should be high enough that a child cannot reach them by accident.
Mount the wall control at least five feet off the floor, where adults can reach it easily but kids cannot.
A garage door is not a toy, and misuse can lead to a serious accident.
Teach your kids that the door is never for games, and that they should stay well clear of it while it moves.
Do not count on the door to close safely on its own.
Keep an eye on it until it is all the way down, so nobody and nothing gets caught underneath.
The seams where the panels meet can pinch fingers as the door moves.
Teach everyone to keep their hands off the sections and the moving parts. Many newer doors have pinch resistant panels, so ask us about upgrading if yours does not.
Handles are there to make lifting and lowering the door safer.
Use the handle to move the door by hand instead of grabbing the edges or the seams.
A reinforced door holds up better against accidents, break ins, and storms.
Make sure your door is solid and properly braced. Trinity can reinforce a door so it stands up to wear and to our Florida weather.
A loose garage code can put your home and family at risk, especially when the garage connects to the house.
Do not share your code unless you have to, and change it now and then to keep it secure.
Regular maintenance keeps a door working safely and smoothly.
Schedule a yearly inspection so a technician can check the springs, cables, rollers, and sensors. A little upkeep prevents bigger problems down the road. See our tune up and maintenance page for what we check.
A safe door is a well maintained door. If any of these checks turns up a problem, or you would like a yearly safety inspection, call Trinity at (813) 279-6785. Family owned, licensed and insured (GD13010 and GDI-09484), serving Tampa Bay since 2007.
