Pinch Protection: Protecting Your Family

2023-12-20 6 min read

# Pinch Protection: Protecting Your Family

Every year, thousands of Americans are injured by garage doors, and many of these injuries involve pinch points, the spaces between door panels where fingers can get caught. At Sammamish Garage Doors, family safety is our top priority, and we want to educate homeowners about pinch protection technology and safety practices.

Understanding Pinch Point Dangers

Traditional garage door designs create hazardous gaps between panels as the door opens and closes. These gaps are particularly dangerous for:

- Young children who may be curious about the moving door - Pets whose paws can get caught in panel joints - Adults who aren't paying attention while the door operates - Anyone helping guide the door manually

The crushing force of a moving garage door can cause severe injuries ranging from bruises to broken fingers to amputations. Understanding these dangers is the first step toward prevention.

Modern Pinch Protection Technology

Today's garage doors incorporate several safety features to minimize pinch-point injuries:

Pinch-Resistant Panel Design

Modern garage door panels feature rounded edges and contoured joints that leave no exposed gaps during operation. These designs include:

- Flush panel construction: Smooth transitions between panels - Finger-safe joints: Specially engineered hinges that don't create gaps - Protected edges: Rounded profiles that don't allow finger insertion

Interior Safety Hinges

The hinges connecting door panels are redesigned in modern doors to:

- Eliminate gaps during operation, Move fingers away from pinch points if contact occurs, Provide smooth operation while maintaining safety

Bottom Panel Safety Features

The area where the bottom panel meets the floor presents unique hazards. Modern doors address this with:

- Flexible bottom seals that give way to pressure, Sensors that detect obstacles and reverse the door, Tapered edges that reduce catching and pinching

Safety Standards and Certifications

When shopping for a new garage door, look for:

- UL 325 compliance: Underwriters Laboratories' standard for garage door safety - ANSI compliance: American National Standards Institute requirements - DASMA certification: Door & Access Systems Manufacturers Association standards

All doors installed by Sammamish Garage Doors meet or exceed these safety requirements.

Safety Practices for Families

Technology alone isn't enough, safe practices are essential:

Educate Children

Teach children that the garage door is not a toy:

- Never run under a moving door, Never play with the wall control or remotes, Stay clear of the door while it's operating, Never try to stop a closing door, Tell an adult if the door seems broken

Proper Operation

Adults should model and enforce safe operation:

- Watch the door until it's completely opened or closed, Keep hands away from panel joints during manual operation, Never leave children unsupervised in the garage when the door is operating, Use the wall control rather than remotes when children are nearby

Regular Maintenance

Maintain safety features through regular inspection:

- Test photo-eye sensors monthly, Test auto-reverse function monthly, Check weather seals for deterioration, Ensure remotes are stored out of children's reach

When to Upgrade Your Garage Door

If your garage door was installed before 1993, it likely lacks many modern safety features. Consider upgrading if:

- Your door doesn't have photo-eye sensors, Panel joints create visible gaps during operation, The door doesn't reverse when encountering obstacles, You have young children or pets

Professional Installation Matters

Proper installation is crucial for safety features to work correctly:

- Sensors must be properly aligned and positioned, Springs must be properly tensioned, Door must be properly balanced, All safety features must be tested and verified

At Sammamish Garage Doors, our certified technicians ensure every installation meets rigorous safety standards.

Emergency Procedures

Know what to do if someone gets caught:

1. Stop the door immediately using the wall control or remote 2. Don't try to force the door open or closed 3. Use the emergency release if someone is trapped 4. Call 911 for serious injuries 5. Call us for emergency door service

Keep the emergency release cord accessible and ensure all family members know how to use it.

Conclusion

Garage door safety has come a long way, but no technology can replace vigilance and safe practices. If you're concerned about your current door's safety features, or if you're in the market for a new door, Sammamish Garage Doors can help you choose and install the safest options available.

Contact us at (425) 532-5538 for a free safety inspection of your existing door or a consultation on new safety-enhanced doors. Your family's safety is worth the investment.

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