A garage for your home is always a plus, as it gives you a convenient place to store your belongings and keeps your vehicle(s) well away from the elements. As such, garage door injuries are often the farthest thing from your mind when using your garage.
However, remember that garage doors (whether a panel lift door or otherwise) are relatively heavy and have complex mechanisms, which means improper handling could result in serious injuries. Therefore, it is critical to exercise caution when operating your garage door and properly maintain it to avoid any unexpected malfunctions.
In this article, we will look at the most common garage door injuries, how you can best prevent yourself and your loved ones from acquiring these injuries, and how regular garage door maintenance can significantly reduce the risk of garage door injuries occurring.
What Are Common Garage Door Injuries?
Garage door injuries can vary from minor nicks to something more serious. Below are the most common types of garage door injuries you may face:
Having The Garage Door Lower On Someone
A person or vehicle accidentally crushed by a garage door is one of the most dangerous accidents. The worst case scenario is when a child accidentally finds themselves under a closing garage door while playing.
These incidents usually occur due to sudden mechanical failure from poor maintenance or from lack of safety features in a very old garage door.
Getting Your Fingers Caught In The Garage Door
Another common garage door mishap is getting your fingers caught between the moving panels of your panel lift garage door or underneath your manual garage door. Depending on the severity, injuries from having your fingers crushed or pinched by a garage door or its mechanisms can range from severe bruising to broken bones.
Lacerations From Broken Garage Door Window Glass
Windows on garage doors that are made from poor quality can be prone to shattering when you force the door shut or during a severe storm, causing severe cuts and lacerations if you are too close.
Injuries From Attempted Garage Door Repairs
Attempting to repair a garage door yourself without the right tools can be dangerous and may lead to any of the injuries mentioned above if you’re not careful. Garage doors are complex and heavy objects, which is why you should leave repairing your garage door in Adelaide to the professionals.
How Can You Prevent Garage Door Injuries?
Accidental injuries from garage doors happen when you ignore standard garage door safety or professional maintenance of your garage door for too long. As such, most garage door injuries can be preventable through careful operation and regular maintenance of your garage door.
Expanding upon the above, here are a few ways to prevent and reduce the chance of garage door injuries from happening in your household.
Carry Out Regular Inspections And Maintenance
Regular inspections can help ensure that your garage door is in good working order and prevent unwanted malfunctions or mechanical failures that can result in injuries. Try to inspect your garage door once a month to ensure everything is in working order. Professional inspections on the other hand can be done yearly.
When inspecting your garage door, ensure that it opens and closes smoothly. Any indication that it cannot do so may indicate a potential mechanical failure that can be dangerous if left alone.
Invest In Garage Door Safety Measures
Garage door safety add-ons can add an extra layer of security and safety to your garage door operation, especially if you have young children or pets. Installing an infrared safety beam, for example, will automatically stop the garage door from closing and reverses the door when the sensor detects an object.
Suppose you’re wary of having your fingers caught in your manual garage door. In that case, you can look into an automatic roller door installation, which allows you to operate your garage door remotely without fear of having your limbs stuck in the way.
Be Careful Around Your Garage Door
Being careful when operating your garage door can help prevent many garage door-related injuries. Try not to enter or exit your garage while it’s in operation and wait until it’s fully opened to proceed.
If you have young children, it’s critical to teach them about garage door safety and to avoid playing near the door when it’s open. We also advise against attempting garage door repairs independently because you could injure yourself if you are not careful.
Keep Your Garage Door Maintained And Safe With AllStyle Garage Doors & Window Shutters
Garage doors are sensitive and complicated systems. It is always best to have your door installed and repaired by a professional for the job’s quality and safety.
Here at AllStyle Garage Doors & Window Shutters, we have decades-worth of experience installing and maintaining garage doors within Adelaide and specialise in roller doors, sectional doors, and industrial garage doors.
If you happen to need garage door maintenance, a professional inspection, or simply a consultant for your garage door needs, feel free to get in touch with us via:
Phone: 08 7007 0188
Email: enquiries@asgd.com.au
Website: https://www.allstylegaragedoorswindowshutters.au/contact-us/