If you are the owner of a garage door, it is very important that you consider the following tips regarding maintaining a safe and secure door and operator:
- It is important to properly perform routine maintenance on your garage door system. To learn more about what we do and what not to do, check out the IDA website.
- Garage doors with operators feature an emergency release device that can be readily identified – just look for the red cord with the red handle. This device is required by law for the purpose of quick disengagement of the operator. It should never be modified, including the addition of a zip-tie for the purpose of security.
- Removing the red handle is not recommended and strongly discouraged. The handle is required by UL 325 and federal law. It is there for emergencies such as a child being entrapped under the door.
- If you wish, frosting your garage windows (if applicable) will obscure visibility into your garage.
- By adding a motion-sensing exterior light outside your garage, unwanted guests are less likely to attempt entry into your garage at night.
- Leaving the remote control to your garage door operator can be an invitation to a thief or undesirable person to enter your house; just like leaving the key to your house in plain view.
- At least annually, contact a professional door dealer to inspect your garage door system. A periodic inspection and maintenance visit by a pro can save you headaches and dollars in the future.
- Check the surroundings of the roller tracks. Move items that may come in contact with a moving door such as a shovel, broom, or lawn edger.
- Have your garage door monitored by a security system just as you would any other door or window in your home, and/or install a garage door monitoring system to help you remember to close your garage door.
- A very basic and simple tip: remembering to keep your garage door closed can help protect your home and property. If you must have your garage door open, lock the pass door between the home and the garage.
