2023-12-28 7 min read
Your garage door is likely the largest moving object in your home, weighing anywhere from 150 to 400 pounds or more. When this massive door is in motion, fingers can easily get caught between the panels, a scenario that leads to thousands of injuries every year, many involving children.
At Garage Door Belfair, safety is our top priority. We've been helping Belfair families stay safe for over 35 years, and we want to share important information about pinch protection features that every homeowner should understand.
Traditional garage doors have joints between each panel section. As the door moves, these joints open and close. When the door closes, the joints on the inside open up, creating potential pinch points. When the door opens, the joints close together, creating pinch points on the outside.
This is especially dangerous for:
Today's garage doors incorporate several design features to prevent pinch injuries:
Modern doors feature panels designed so that the joints don't open wide enough to allow fingers to be inserted. These flush-panel designs maintain a consistent gap throughout the door's travel.
Some manufacturers use raised panel designs that naturally keep fingers away from the joint areas. The contours make it difficult to place fingers where they could be pinched.
Bottom brackets and other hardware on modern doors are designed to be tamper-resistant and away from areas where hands might reach.
Required on all garage door openers sold after 1993, these sensors create an invisible beam across the door opening. If anything breaks the beam while the door is closing, the door automatically reverses. Always ensure these sensors are properly aligned and clean.
Also required by law, this feature causes the door to reverse if it contacts an object while closing. Test this monthly by placing a 2x4 in the door's path.
While not directly related to pinch protection, this security feature prevents code theft, ensuring only authorized users can operate your door.
Some modern openers include a timer that automatically closes the door after a set period, reducing the time it's open and vulnerable.
No safety feature can replace proper education. Teach everyone in your household:
If your garage door system was installed before the mid-1990s, it may lack important safety features. Warning signs include:
If your garage door lacks modern pinch protection features, consider upgrading. A new door with contemporary safety features is an investment in your family's wellbeing. At Garage Door Belfair, we offer:
Every installation we perform at Garage Door Belfair includes a comprehensive safety review. We verify all safety features are functioning properly and take time to demonstrate them to homeowners. Your family's safety is our priority.
Concerned about your garage door's safety features? Call us at 360-226-7649 for a free safety inspection. Let's make sure your garage is a safe place for your entire family.