For many busy homeowners, the garage is an often-overlooked space, especially when it comes to safety. Garage doors are the largest and heaviest moving objects in most homes, and 77.6% of injuries caused by garage doors occur in a person’s own home.

The International Door Association and the Door & Access Systems Manufacturers Association have designated June as Garage Door Safety Month to raise awareness about the safe use of garage doors. Here are eight things you can do to keep your garage door in good shape to protect you and your family.

1.) Clean your garage door

Regularly wipe down your garage door with warm water and a mild all-purpose cleaner to keep it looking new. Built-up dirt and grime can quickly degrade the finish on your garage door and cause it to deteriorate more quickly.

2.) Lubricate moving parts

Over time, your garage door’s hinges, rollers, tracks, and springs can rub together and stick, preventing the door from opening and closing. Too much friction can increase the strain on your overhead door operator, leading to mechanical issues. Therefore, evenly coat all the moving parts on your garage door with a high-quality silicone-based lubricant or lithium grease every few months. This maintenance will keep your door rising and lowering smoothly.

3.) Clear the tracks

Clean the inside of your garage door tracks with an old toothbrush to dislodge any built-up grease, grime, and dirt. Then, spray disc brake cleaner on the tracks and wipe it out with a clean rag to remove any debris. Regular cleaning also allows you to inspect the door tracks for rust or wear. If they look damaged or uneven, call a professional technician to make the necessary adjustments.

4.) Inspect the weatherstrip

The weatherstrip around your garage door prevents moisture, dirt, debris, and unwanted critters from getting inside. Therefore, it’s a good idea to periodically wipe it down with a damp cloth and an all-purpose cleaner to keep it in top shape. If the weatherstrip looks loose, brittle, cracked, torn, or deformed, give the experts at Creative Door ServicesTM a call to have it replaced.

5.) Replace worn or broken springs

Your garage door’s springs counterbalance the weight of your door as it opens and closes. However, they aren't made to work indefinitely. The average garage door spring only lasts 10,000 cycles. Worn or broken garage door springs can cause your garage door to malfunction and slam shut unexpectedly, posing a hazard to anyone or anything underneath it.

If your garage door springs break or cause your garage door to malfunction, you may be tempted to fix or replace the springs yourself. Adjusting or replacing garage door springs can be extremely dangerous unless you're a service professional. Avoid injury or damage to your garage door system by seeking the professional help of the experts at Creative Door Services™.

6.) Test the sensors

All residential garage doors produced after 1993 must have advanced safety features, including photo eye sensors. These sensors, located on both sides of the garage door, project an invisible beam across the bottom of the opening. If anything enters its path, the door will automatically stop and reverse. Here’s how to test your garage door’s sensors:

• Place a soft but stable object like a roll of paper towel on the ground in the path of your garage door.

• Use your garage door remote to close the door.

• If the object triggers the sensor, the reverse mechanism should prevent the door from closing.

• If the door doesn't reverse, your sensors could be out of alignment. You can call the experts at Creative Door Services™ to schedule a service call with one of our trained technicians.

Even with garage door sensors, injuries can still occur. Never race your garage door by trying to dash underneath it before it closes.

7.) Teach your kids about garage door safety

Kids are more likely to be injured by a garage door than adults. Children often don’t understand the dangers of playing near an operating garage door or with a garage door remote. Take time to teach your kids about garage door safety and set a good example by never walking underneath your door while it’s opening or closing.

In addition, if you have a dog, make sure you train it to stand away from the garage door as it opens and closes.

8.) Schedule preventative maintenance

Planned garage door maintenance can reduce your long-term repair expenses and prevent minor problems from turning into major mechanical issues. Keep in mind that you should always consult a professional before attempting to repair or replace any garage door parts yourself.

Fortunately, Creative Door Services™ offers a planned maintenance program. Our team is committed to increasing the safety of your home, helping you stay on top of all required upkeep. One of our trained technicians will visit your property, test and inspect your garage door, and let you know if there’s anything that needs to be repaired or replaced.

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SOURCE AND FOR MORE INFORMATION: Garage Door Safety Month: 8 Maintenance Tips