Be Aware of Garage Door Dangers
Although it's often the largest and heaviest piece of moving equipment in a home, many people don't realize the potentially deadly consequences associated with garage doors. Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) has recently received four reports of children being trapped beneath automatic garage doors that were left in a partially opened position. When stopped in this position, activation of the door operator may result in the door initially traveling in the downward direction thus increasing pressure on someone trapped beneath the door. Continued or repeated activation of the door, particularly when in a panic state, may not result in the immediate reversal of the door to the open position, particularly if the door operator is not properly maintained.
UL recommends that automatic garage doors be left only in the fully open or fully closed positions and never in a partially open or closed position. Walking or crawling under a partially opened door creates a potential entrapment hazard.
"Garage doors weigh as much as 600 pounds and can cause serious injury or even death if they're not used with care," says Barbara Guthrie, UL consumer affairs director.
"Although UL listed residential garage door openers manufactured since 1993 have enhanced anti-entrapment safety features, homeowners should not take safety for granted," Guthrie adds. "If entrapment occurs, remain calm, and call for help from your local fire department."
Consumers should always exercise caution when using automatic garage door operators and follow the safety instructions provided:
Important safety instructions: