It’s National Garage Door Safety Month, so we thought we’d cover some important garage door safety measures you should take and share some of our expert tips. According to LiftMaster, 1 in 15 garages may not be operating properly or may lack the latest safety features.

Many families use the garage door as their main point of entry to the home. It is also often the largest moving part of a home. Therefore, it’s very important that your door is properly maintained and everyone in your household knows how to operate it appropriately and safely. Here are several safety tips anyone with a garage door should know.

Tip #1: Don’t let children play with or operate the garage door opener.

Playing with the garage door remote and running into and out of the garage while it's in motion may sound fun to a child, but it can be very dangerous and end badly. If that huge door closes on top of someone, it can cause serious injury or death. We use our garage doors every day, so it’s easy to forget about safety measures sometimes, but consequences of careless actions can be fatal. Educate your children so they know what’s safe and what's not.

Tip #2: Perform monthly maintenance.

Many homeowners don’t give their garage doors a thought until it stops working. Waiting until something snaps or breaks could lead to serious injury or expensive repairs. If you perform regular maintenance that only takes a few minutes, like lubricating moving parts and inspecting components, you could avoid many problems.

Tip #3: Change springs regularly.

According to Garaga, more than 300 people are injured by broken garage door springs every year. Don’t attempt to change cables or springs on your own. You could become seriously injured. Call a certified garage door technician to change them for you.

Tip #4: Prepare for stormy weather.

If your power goes out during a storm, your garage door won’t operate, and your vehicle could be trapped inside the garage unless you have a battery backup system! A battery backup will continue to work if your primary operator loses electricity.

Tip #5: Organize your garage.

The garage can quickly turn into a storage unit full of clutter if you’re not carful. It can also become greasy and oily if you do repair work inside, which can be a fire hazard. Keep your garage door clean and organized. Install shelving or cabinetry to keep things in order, sweep the floor regularly, and clean up after spills. Make sure to store flammable chemicals properly.

Choosing a Garage Door Repair Company in Des Moines

If you're looking for a high quality, trustworthy garage door repair company in the Greater Des Moines area, including Altoona and Ames, look no further! Let us know if your garage door needs a repair or inspection or if you'd like to install a brand new garage door for your home or business. Learn about our free estimate process by reading our blog post:  How Does Our "Free Estimate" Process Work?