Garage Door Safety
What Every Family
Needs to Know
Your garage door is the largest moving object in your home - and one of the most mechanical. 1 Stop Garage Door has been keeping Long Island families safe with 27 years experience - 27 years of Long Island garage door service. This guide covers what every Nassau and Suffolk County homeowner needs to know to operate, test, and maintain their garage door system safely.
The Rules That Protect
Your Family
These rules apply to every home with a garage door - whether you have an automatic opener or operate the door manually. Please share them with every member of your household.
Never walk or stand under a moving garage door. The door can reverse unexpectedly or a component can fail. Always wait for the door to fully stop before passing through the opening.
Always keep the moving door in sight until it comes to a complete stop - whether opening or closing. Never leave children or pets near a garage door that is in motion.
Never let children play with remote controls, wall buttons, or keypads. Garage door openers are mechanical devices, not toys. Keep all controls at least 5 feet off the ground and out of reach of children.
Always know where your emergency release cord is located - the red handle hanging from the opener rail. Every adult in your home should know how to use it in case someone is caught under the door.
Never attempt to adjust, repair, or replace torsion springs, cables, pulleys, or brackets yourself. These components are under extreme tension and can cause serious injury or death if mishandled. Always call a professional.
Always test your door's auto-reverse and sensor systems monthly. A properly functioning auto-reverse system is your family's primary protection against injury from a closing door.
Never race a closing garage door - on foot or in a vehicle. Never encourage children to "beat the door." The door can close faster than expected, and a reversing door creates unpredictable movement.
Always keep fingers, hands, and clothing clear of section joints, hinges, and tracks while the door is in motion. Moving door panels can cause severe pinching injuries without warning.
How to Test Your
Garage Door System
1 Stop Garage Door recommends performing these three tests every month. Each test takes less than two minutes. All three together take about five minutes - and could save a life.
Position a 2×4 Board
Place a piece of 2×4 lumber flat on the floor in the center of the door's path, directly under the door.
Close the Door
Press the wall button or remote control to close the garage door. Stand aside and watch the door carefully as it descends.
Verify Reversal
When the door contacts the board, it must immediately reverse direction and open fully. Any hesitation or failure to reverse means the opener's force settings need professional adjustment.
Start Closing the Door
Press the wall button or remote to close the garage door. Let the door begin its descent from the fully open position.
Break the Sensor Beam
While the door is moving, interrupt the sensor beam using a long object such as a broom handle - held across the two small sensor units mounted on each side of the door opening, about 4 to 6 inches from the floor. Never put your hand, foot, or any part of your body under a moving door.
Verify Reversal
Breaking the beam must cause the door to immediately reverse and return to the fully open position. If the door continues to close, the sensors require realignment or replacement.
Disconnect the opener by pulling the emergency release cord. Lift the door manually to waist height and let go. A properly balanced door should remain stationary. If it falls or rises on its own, the spring system needs professional adjustment. Call 1 Stop Garage Door: 1-800-336-9270.
Your Monthly
Safety Checklist
Print this checklist and keep it in your garage. Perform these checks on the first of every month. A garage door inspection takes less than 10 minutes and can prevent accidents, extend the life of your door, and identify problems before they become emergencies.
Long Island note: Our harsh winters, coastal salt air, and heavy spring rains put extra stress on garage door hardware - especially cables and springs. Monthly inspections help prevent unexpected failures during severe weather when you need your door most.
Something Not Right?
If you notice any of the following - unusual sounds, visible damage, failure to reverse, uneven movement, visible cable fraying, or a door that won't stay in place - do not ignore it. These are warning signs that require professional attention before continued use.
Call 1 Stop Garage Door - 1-800-336-9270The Numbers
Long Island Families Should Know
Sources: US Consumer Product Safety Commission · UL Standards
Questions Long Island
Homeowners Ask Us
27 years of garage door service across Nassau and Suffolk County means we've heard every question. Here are the ones that matter most for your family's safety.
Call Us With Any Safety QuestionHow do I test the auto-reverse feature on my garage door?
Place a 2×4 piece of lumber flat on the floor in the center of the door's path. Press the close button. The door must reverse immediately when it contacts the board. If it does not reverse, do not use the door until a professional adjusts the force settings. Call 1 Stop Garage Door: 1-800-336-9270.
How often should I test my garage door safety sensors?
Test your photo-eye sensors every month. Wave your hand through the sensor beam while the door is closing - the door must immediately reverse. If it doesn't stop, the sensors need alignment or replacement. Call 1 Stop Garage Door at 1-800-336-9270 for same-day service throughout Long Island.
What is the emergency release cord and how do I use it?
The emergency release is the red cord hanging from the opener's rail. Pulling it disconnects the door from the opener so it can be moved manually. Only pull the emergency release when the door is fully closed - never while the door is moving or under spring tension. Every adult in your home should know where it is.
My garage door is making a grinding noise - is it dangerous?
Grinding sounds usually indicate worn rollers, dry hinges, or loose hardware. While not always immediately dangerous, they are warning signs of components that will eventually fail - often suddenly. 1 Stop Garage Door recommends professional inspection for any unusual sounds. Call 1-800-336-9270 for same-day service across Nassau and Suffolk County.
Can I replace garage door springs myself?
No - never. Torsion and extension springs store enormous mechanical energy and can cause severe injury or death if handled incorrectly. Spring replacement requires professional training, proper tools, and safety equipment. Always call a licensed professional. 1 Stop Garage Door provides same-day spring replacement throughout Long Island.
How do I teach my children about garage door safety?
Explain clearly that the garage door is not a toy and that the controls are for adults only. Show children the dangers of standing near a moving door. Teach them never to race under a closing door. Keep all remotes, wall buttons, and keypads out of reach. Children under 12 should never operate the door without adult supervision.
What should I do if someone is trapped under a garage door?
If someone is trapped, immediately pull the emergency release cord to disconnect the opener, then manually lift the door. Call 911 immediately. Do not wait. If the door won't lift manually, the spring system may be broken - call 911 and 1 Stop Garage Door simultaneously. Do not attempt to force a door that won't move.