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Dangers of Garage Doors

The most dangerous thing in your home? It may well be your garage door and its electric opener.

Overhead garage doors can weigh as much as 600 pounds -- more than enough to crush and kill a child or small adult. The electric openers that move them up and down have safety interlocks that are supposed to protect anyone who gets in their way but Underwriters Laboratories (UL) says the devices don't always work as planned.

It's especially dangerous to leave a garage door partially open -- perhaps to let a pet go in and out freely -- because when the open/close button is pushed, the door may unexpectedly go down rather than up.

Panicky consumers may make matters worse by repeatedly pushing the open/close button, which can increase pressure on the trapped person. UL says it has received reports recently of four children being trapped under doors

Some safety tips:

• Never leave garage doors partially open. They should either be fully closed or fully open.
• Always have the garage door in full view when pressing the down button.
• Don't let children play with the remote control.
• Test the door monthly. It should automatically reverse upon contact with any object on its way down.
• NEVER pull the emergency release cord when the door is open. It may fall suddenly and uncontrollably. possibly injuring or killing anyone underneath it.
• Keep the door balanced. The springs on the door should keep it from closing suddenly when the electric controller is not attached. If not, call trained service personnel.

If you have a wooden door, consider replacing it with an aluminum door. They are much lighter and, thus, safer.

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