2026-05-27 7 min read
Most homeowners don't think about garage door safety until something goes wrong. Your garage door weighs as much as a small car and moves with significant force. Without proper safety features, it poses real risks to children, pets, and anyone nearby. Understanding these protections is the first step toward keeping your family safe every single day.
Your garage door system contains two main hazards. The first is the door itself, which can weigh between 300 and 500 pounds depending on material and size. When it closes, it generates tremendous force. The second hazard comes from the springs that counterbalance that weight. These springs are under extreme tension and can snap without warning, turning them into dangerous projectiles.
Between 1990 and 2008, the Consumer Product Safety Commission documented nearly 20,000 garage door related injuries requiring emergency room treatment. Most of those injuries involved fingers, hands, and heads caught in closing doors. Children under 15 accounted for a significant portion of those incidents. In Severance and across northern Colorado, we see the same preventable accidents year after year.
The good news? Modern safety features have nearly eliminated these tragedies when properly installed and maintained.
The photo eye sensor is your garage door's primary safety guardian. This small device sits about 6 inches off the ground on both sides of your garage door opening. When the door descends, these sensors create an invisible beam across the opening. If anything breaks that beam, the door stops and reverses immediately.
Auto-reverse mechanisms work alongside photo eyes to provide backup protection. If a photo eye fails and the door encounters resistance (a toy, a pet, a limb), the opener senses the increased force and reverses the door within half a second. This dual-protection system has been required on all openers since 1993.
However, these features only work if they're properly aligned and clean. Dust, spider webs, and misalignment cause photo eye failures. We recommend checking your photo eyes monthly. Wipe the lenses gently with a soft cloth. Make sure nothing blocks the beam between sensors. If your door doesn't reverse when you hold your hand in front of the photo eye, call us immediately for a safety check.
Children are naturally curious about moving doors and dangling remotes. Several safety practices prevent tragedy. First, keep remote controls away from children. A child pressing buttons can close the door with no warning. Second, never let children play near the garage door or under it while it's in motion.
Consider installing a keypad opener instead of relying on handheld remotes. You can change the code periodically and control who has access. Some families with young children remove the remote batteries entirely and use only the wall button or keypad. It seems inconvenient until you think about the alternative.
**Need garage door safety in Severance today?** Call 720-679-7226. We cover same-day service and honest estimates across the area.
Smart garage door openers add another layer of child safety. These systems let you monitor your door from your phone and receive alerts if someone opens it. You can also lock the opener remotely, preventing unauthorized operation. We've covered smart garage door opener options in detail if you want to explore that route.
Safety features don't maintain themselves. Springs lose tension over time. Photo eyes accumulate dust. Cables fray. The springs in your garage door typically last 7 to 9 years before they require replacement. When one breaks, the other is usually close behind. Never attempt spring replacement yourself. This is one job that absolutely requires professional experience.
Schedule a professional inspection annually. During a safety inspection, we test auto-reverse function, clean photo eyes, check cable condition, inspect springs under tension, and verify all hardware remains tight. The cost of an annual safety estimate is far less than an emergency room visit or worse.
If you've noticed your door moving slowly, making grinding noises, or hesitating during operation, those are warning signs that safety components need attention. Our team at Garage Door Company Severance can diagnose these issues and recommend the right repair or replacement without pressure or upselling.
Your garage door safety is not something to postpone. If your opener is more than 15 years old, it may lack modern safety features entirely. Older units had fewer sensors and slower auto-reverse response times. Upgrading to a current model costs less than many people expect, and we're transparent about pricing from the start.
Schedule a free safety estimate today or call 720-679-7226. We'll inspect your door, test every safety feature, and give you an honest assessment. No surprise charges. No pressure. Just straightforward advice from people who care about keeping your family safe.
Q: How often should I test my garage door auto-reverse? A: Test it monthly by holding your hand in front of the photo eye while the door closes. It should stop and reverse immediately. If it doesn't, contact a professional right away.
Q: Can I replace my garage door springs myself? A: No. Springs are under extreme tension and can cause serious injury or death if they snap during removal. Always hire a licensed professional for spring work.
Q: What should I do if my photo eyes aren't working? A: First, wipe both lenses clean with a soft cloth. Check that nothing blocks the beam. If the problem persists after cleaning and realignment, call for service. Photo eye failure is a safety emergency.
Q: Are older garage door openers safe? A: Openers made before 1993 lack required safety features. If yours is older than 15 years, upgrading provides better protection and modern conveniences.
Q: How much does a garage door safety inspection cost? A: We offer free estimates. Call 720-679-7226 for a same-day appointment or visit our safety services page to learn what's included.