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Safety First

safety-firstHow safe is your garage? You might be surprised to learn that it’s not as safe as you think. According to expert statistics, there are more than 13,000 garage door or garage-related injuries every single year. Some of the most common include:

  • Getting pinched or crushed between the sections of the garage door (7557)
  • Garage doors that fall off their tracks, typically the result of old springs (2102)
  • DIY garage door repairs or replacement (1610)
  • Lacerations from sharp edges on the door/track (805)

And the list goes on.

Routine garage door maintenance prevents injuries

The good news is that making one, simple change can have a dramatic impact when it comes to improving garage safety: Observing a routine garage door maintenance plan.

When you sign up with a licensed garage door company to inspect, tune-up and repair your garage door, you gain a partner in the mission towards garage door safety. If your door is outdated and doesn’t have many of the safety features that stop its activity at the first sign of resistance or pressure, we’ll let you know. If your springs are looking old or misshapen, we’ll replace them for you.

Garage door techs will automatically repair or replace parts that aren’t working properly or that are showing signs of wear and can dull down, or point out, any sharp edges or danger zones that might get in the way of precious human bodies or pets. Plus, if you are part of our regular maintenance plan clientele, you get top priority when your garage malfunctions or breaks down, and you also have access to premium price savings.

It’s easy to neglect garage door maintenance until something undesirable happens, so a proactive maintenance approach is the way to go.

5 tips for improving garage safety

Once your garage door is in ship-shape the following tips will also help to improve garage safety:

  1. Secure hazards up and out of the way, or in locked containers. The garage is full of tools and chemicals that are unsafe for pets and children. Make sure these items are secured up and out of the way, or lock them up in a labeled container or cabinet. Don’t forget that ladders are a danger. When propped up against the wall, they pose an irresistible temptation for little ones. Instead, install hooks in the rafters or along the wall and suspend the ladder on the horizontal plane instead.
  2. Eliminate clutter. Does your garage resemble a contemporary obstacle course? This is a recipe for disaster since the more your household members and/or guests have to navigate the clutter, the more apt they are to trip and fall on the hard garage floor. This is especially true for the senior population and those who have to maneuver around cars, toys and other items with a mobility aid. Pick a day when the weather is reasonable and perform a thorough Spring Cleaning (regardless of the season). Read, Garage Spring Cleaning, for tips on getting started.
  3. Have a fire extinguisher on hand. From fertilizer and paint thinner to pesticides and various types of fuel, the average residential garage is a much bigger fire hazard than most homeowners give it credit for. As we mentioned in #1, storing these hazardous chemicals and flammable products in well-marked, locked containers is a good first step. Even so, accidents happen so have a fire extinguisher or two in easy-to-reach locations so you can put a fire out quickly. Also, calendar the inspection date on each one and take it to a local fire protection company to trade it in or have it re-inspected so it’s ready to go when you need it.
  4. Provide adequate ventilation. Garages are notorious for having poor air quality due to the off-gassing of your vehicle when it starts and stops, as well as the various toxins that are stored inside. Make sure the door between the garage and the house is very well sealed, and then talk to your HVAC company about secure ventilation options so noxious gases have a way to escape rather than to accumulate inside.
  5. Upgrade security measures. Garages are a primary entrance for many burglars, especially if you’re in the habit of leaving a window cracked or keeping it in a slightly raised position so pets can get in and out. Read, 6 Tips on How to Make Your Garage Burglar Proof to make your garage more safe and secure.

Ready to make garage safety a priority for your home? Contact us here at R&S. Our friendly maintenance technicians will stop by each year to ensure your garage door parts are safe, functioning properly and secure. Don’t forget to ask us about our regular specials, which allow homeowners and landlords to replace outdated garage doors for a highly competitive price.

R&S Erection of Concord, Inc.

2424 Bates Ave. Concord , CA 94520
(925) 671-7606 Fax: (925) 671-7621
License # 667038

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925-671-7606

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