Garage Door Safety Tips | Residential Garage Doors in Rochester, MN

Garage doors are the most used entry points to homes. They’re convenient, secure, and keep your car out of the brutal Minnesota weather. However, many homeowners don’t think much about garage door safety until something goes wrong. Your residential garage door in Rochester, MN, might not seem complex; it opens, closes, and that’s it. However, it is operated by a robust system of springs, tracks, sensors, and motors that can become hazardous if neglected. Let’s discuss some practical, easy-to-understand safety tips every homeowner should know.

Keep Your Kids and Pets Safe | Residential Garage Door in Rochester, MN

It’s no secret that kids are curious. So are pets. A garage door in motion can quickly become a hazard if your kid or pet darts underneath or hits the remote without supervision. Here’s what you can do:

• Talk to your kids: Teach them the garage door isn’t a toy. Show them the danger zones, and remind them never to play near them.
• Mount the wall controls high up: They should be at least five feet off the ground. This keeps little hands from accidentally triggering it.
• Use the manual lock when needed: If you’re working in the garage and don’t want anyone opening it unexpectedly, engage the manual lock or unplug the opener.
• Install motion-sensor lights: These lights alert you to movement near the garage door and are especially helpful at night.

And for pets? If your dog or cat is used to slipping out during door openings, consider blocking their access when you’re coming or going. One second of distraction is all it takes. Also read: How to Keep Your Driveway Gate Running When the Power’s Out | Garage Doors in Rochester, MN

Know How (and when) to Use the Emergency Release

Power outages. Malfunctioning openers. Frozen mechanisms in the dead of winter. Any of these can leave you needing to manually open or close your garage door. You’ve probably seen that red cord hanging from the track inside your garage. That’s the emergency release.

• If the power goes out or the opener stops working, it lets you open the door by hand. You only want to pull it when the door’s all the way down.
• If the door’s stuck halfway and you release it, there’s a good chance it’ll slam shut hard.
• When it’s fully closed, go ahead and pull the cord straight down. That disconnects the opener. From there, you can lift the door manually.
• To re-engage the opener, pull the cord again and run the opener so it reattaches.

Tip: Practice this a few times before an emergency occurs. You don’t want to figure out in the dark during a snowstorm.

Keeping Your Garage & Your Family Safe | Residential Garage Door in Rochester, MN

Having a residential garage door in Rochester, MN, means dealing with harsh winters, frequent usage, and safety risks you might not always consider. However, a little awareness and regular care can go a long way toward keeping your family safe and your garage running smoothly. You don’t have to know everything, and you’re not expected to fix everything alone. If your garage door seems off, or if you’re not sure how to check something safely, bring in the pros. Do you need help or peace of mind? Our team at Thompson Garage Door is here when you need it. We treat every home like ours and offer guidance you can trust because safety always comes first. Contact us today.