Pinch Protection: Protecting Your Family
2024-01-02 7 min read
Garage doors can pose significant pinch hazards, especially for children who are naturally curious about how things work. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, thousands of people are injured by garage doors each year, with many injuries involving fingers getting caught between door sections. Modern safety features have significantly reduced these risks, and at Cortez Garage Doors, we're committed to helping families stay safe.
Understanding Pinch Points on Garage Doors
Traditional garage door sections connect with joints that create gaps during operation. As the door opens and closes, these gaps expand and contract, creating potential pinch points where fingers can get trapped. This is particularly dangerous because:
- The spaces look inviting to small children who may try to put their fingers in them, The force of a closing door can cause severe crush injuries, The injury happens in a split second, before adults can react, Traditional designs offer no protection at these vulnerable points
Common pinch point locations include: - Between each horizontal door section (the most dangerous area) - Where the door meets the frame on the sides, At the bottom of the door near the floor seal, Around hinges and roller brackets
How Modern Pinch-Resistant Technology Works
Today's best garage doors feature flush-panel designs and specialized pinch-resistant joints that virtually eliminate the gap between sections. Here's how this technology protects your family:
Flush Interior Panels: Instead of the traditional raised sections with gaps, modern doors feature flush interior surfaces where panels meet. This eliminates the space where fingers could get trapped.
Pinch-Resistant Joints: Advanced joint designs use continuous panel connections that maintain contact throughout the door's travel. Even as the door curves around the tracks, the joint remains closed.
Tamper-Resistant Bottom Brackets: The bottom brackets on garage doors are under extreme tension from the springs. Modern designs enclose or redesign these brackets to prevent accidental contact.
These designs meet or exceed UL 325 safety standards, which the garage door industry developed specifically to address pinch-point injuries.
Additional Safety Features Every Family Should Have
Beyond pinch protection, modern garage door systems offer multiple layers of safety:
Photo-Eye Sensors: Mounted 6 inches above the floor on either side of the door, these sensors create an invisible beam. If anything breaks the beam while the door is closing, it automatically reverses. We recommend testing these monthly.simply wave your foot through the beam while closing the door.
Auto-Reverse Mechanism: If the door contacts an object while closing, it immediately reverses direction. This provides a backup if the photo-eyes fail or if an object is below their detection level.
Manual Release Handle: In case of power outages or opener failure, the red emergency release handle allows you to disconnect the door from the opener and operate it manually. Make sure all family members know where this is and how to use it.
Timer-to-Close Functions: Many modern openers can be programmed to automatically close the door after a set time, ensuring you never accidentally leave it open.
Motion-Activated Lighting: Openers with built-in lighting that activates when motion is detected improve visibility and deter intruders.
Teaching Children About Garage Door Safety
Even with the best safety features, education is essential. Teach your children:
- Never to play under or near a moving garage door, Never to race the door while it's closing, Never to touch the door's moving parts, That the garage door is not a toy, How to safely enter and exit when the door is moving
Consider conducting a family safety review, showing everyone how the door works and what areas to avoid.
Is Your Door Safe? Get a Professional Inspection
If your garage door is more than 10 years old, it likely lacks modern safety features. Our safety inspection evaluates your entire door system and identifies potential hazards. We can often upgrade safety features without replacing the entire door.
Protect your family with a comprehensive safety inspection from our certified technicians. Schedule your inspection or call us at (941) 531-9016. At Cortez Garage Doors, your family's safety is our top priority.