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DOOR OPENERS |
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An automatic
garage door opener is a common feature in many homes, but
the convenience offered must be weighed against the possible
safety hazards. The opener is connected to a door that may
weight several hundred pounds and closes with substantial
force. It is the force of this weight that has resulted in
numerous injuries and deaths over the years. Young children
are especially vulnerable to inadvertent contact and
entrapment.
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Considerations
To help address the safety concern, new door openers are now
provided with several safety features. These include a
control that will automatically stop and retract the door if
it hits on an obstruction, a pressure-sensitive stop or
electronic eye that will also stop the door’s forward
motion if it contacts something or an object crosses the
beam, and a manual release control to disengage the opener
in an emergency. The HouseMaster Technical Staff recommends
that all garage door openers be checked on a regular basis
following the manufacturer's recommendations. If the door
opener does not function properly, it should be disabled and
serviced. Malfunctioning or older (pre-1993) door openers
without the new safety features should be replaced.
© HouseMaster
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