Pinch Protection: Protecting Your Family
December 20, 2025 5 min read
Garage Door Safety: Protecting Your Family
Garage doors are the largest moving object in most homes. Understanding and maintaining safety features is crucial for protecting your family. At Garage Door Canterbury, we prioritize safety above all else.
Pinch Protection Technology
Modern garage doors include panel designs that minimize pinch points:
Traditional Panels Older doors have gaps between panels where fingers can get caught during operation. If your door is more than 10 years old, it may lack modern safety features.
Pinch-Resistant Panels Newer doors feature flush-back sections that close together without creating dangerous gaps. All doors we install include pinch-resistant technology.
Benefits of Pinch-Resistant Design - Safe for children's curious fingers - Reduced risk of injury for adults - Peace of mind for families
Essential Safety Features
Auto-Reverse Mechanism All modern openers must reverse if they encounter an obstruction. This prevents the door from closing on people, pets, or objects. Our technicians test this during every service call.
Photo Eye Sensors Infrared sensors near the floor detect objects in the door's path and automatically reverse the door. We can install or replace sensors on any garage door system.
Manual Release The red emergency release cord allows you to disconnect the opener and operate the door manually during power outages.
Rolling Code Technology Modern remotes use rolling codes that change with each use, preventing code theft and unauthorized access.
Teaching Garage Door Safety
For Children - Never play under a moving door - Never touch the moving parts - Tell an adult if something seems wrong - Stay away from the opener button while the door is moving
For Everyone - Watch the door until it fully closes - Keep the door in view when operating - Never try to "beat" a closing door - Keep the remote away from children
Maintenance for Safety
Regular maintenance ensures safety features work properly:
1. Monthly: Test auto-reverse with a roll of paper towels 2. Monthly: Test photo eyes by waving an object through the beam 3. Annually: Have a professional inspect springs, cables, and hardware
Our maintenance service includes comprehensive safety testing.
Upgrading Older Doors
If your door lacks modern safety features, consider: - Installing a new opener with current safety standards - Replacing the door with pinch-resistant panels - Adding photo eye sensors if missing
Your family's safety is our priority. Contact Garage Door Canterbury for a free safety inspection of your garage door system. We serve Canterbury, Belmont, New London, Warner, Henniker, and all surrounding areas.