A Kind Reminder: Fix the Sensors

We all agree that garage door safety is of enormous importance! Who wants to get hurt anyway? The question is what we do about it! Do we expect safety just because we got the right opener? The truth is that choosing the right electric garage door opener in terms of safety features is vital. The UL 325 requirements are specific. Openers must have a reverse mechanism and a release cord. There is a reason why manufacturers make openers with such features. They have thought of all possibilities before coming with such solutions and still create accessories for enhanced safety. The photo eyes certainly save anyone standing under the overhead door and the emergency release cord save lives when the sensors don't work due to damage or power outage.

The sensors are extremely important parts of each garage door opener. The reason why they are installed at the lowest parts of the door is to ensure that the photo eyes will detect even tiny objects. Let's say your wallet is dropped on the floor under the door or you have one foot extending under the door. By being installed approximately 6 inches over the floor, the sensors would see the wallet or foot and reverse the door. Your foot won't be hurt and the wallet won't be destroyed. These are actually considered mild cases of incidents or accidents since a child could be standing under the descending door.

3 ways to check the sensors
 

Garage door opener sensors maintenance is vital. The more often you check the sensors, the safer you will be. The good thing is that it's easy to check them or even take care of some trivial issues.

* Both lights on the sensors must be on. If even one of them is not, there is a problem with their connection. Check their wires and adjust them.

* The photo eyes are efficient only when they see one another. So, make sure they are adjusted. They usually misalign when their fasteners get loose.

* Press the button to close the door and while it's coming down, hold the door from its bottom part as if you wanted to stop it from moving. It should reverse.