In 1996, the movie Scream was released into the world. It was an instant classic. While its take on the horror genre satisfied the critics, many young adults became frightened at a death they never considered: Death by garage door. While some safety features did exist, we can definitely say that such a scene could not happen today.
Photoelectric Sensors
The first reason is that Tatum’s body would block the photoelectric sensors. These sensors are ones most people know because they are mounted beside the door. These devices are to be no higher than 6 inches above the garage floor. This prevents the door from shutting on a small animal and especially anything larger. If your door is having trouble shutting, they may need to be realigned.
Up/Down Sensors
The second reason is that there are weight sensors. These additional sensors detect dangerous situations and stop or reverse the door. If a small child gets caught by a backpack, the door should stop rather than drop the child. The opening motion can be stopped with 20 pounds of pressure. To prevent the heavy door from damaging a vehicle, there are sensors that detect about 20 pounds of pressure and retract the door when closing.
Emergency Cord
If all else fails, there is an emergency cord that disconnects the automatic opener temporarily. Once that string is pulled, the door can be manually lifted or closed. The lift of the door should be relatively light, enough that a small woman or elderly person can open it. If it is hard to open, the springs can be adjusted by a professional.
Extra Tips: Preventing Break-ins
There is concern about unauthorized people accessing the house through the garage door. One way to reduce theft is to lock the entry door that leads to the house. Most homeowners rely on the automatic garage door and leave the entry door unlocked. If you keep the garage door opener with you, thieves can’t steal it from the car. So a remote on a keychain makes it easier and safer. If you are leaving town, the automatic door can be disconnected via the emergency cord and the door locked with a padlock or bolt in the track. DO NOT just bolt or latch it. If you forget and hit the garage door opener, it will tear up the door. That is an expensive mistake.
Making homes safe is our first priority. The more each person understands about the home, the better equipped they are to make wise decisions and keep appliances maintained. You can rest easily at night, secure in the knowledge that Scream has been reduced to pure fiction.