It’s Garage Door Safety Month, Here Are Some Safety Tips

With Garage Door Safety Month here, it's the perfect time to review safety practices that matter most for Mesa homeowners and East Valley families. At On Track Garage Door Service—serving Mesa since 1987, ROC 342730—we have handled garage door safety issues across the Phoenix metro since 1987. Here are the critical safety checks every Mesa household should perform, based on what we see in the field. **Why Safety Month Matters for Mesa Homeowners** Automatic garage door systems have added tremendous convenience to daily life, but they're also one of the most dangerous machines in your home. Every year, garage doors injure thousands of people across the U.S., and Mesa is no exception. The good news: most injuries are preventable with basic maintenance and awareness. **The Safety Checks On Track Recommends** [Continue with existing safety tips content, but reframe each around what we see in Mesa homes] When we service garage doors across Mesa, Chandler, and the East Valley, we regularly find safety issues that put families at risk—often without homeowners realizing it. Here's what to check: 1. **The Reverse Safety Test** — This is non-negotiable. Place a 2x4 board or cardboard box under your garage door and press the remote. The door should reverse immediately on contact. If it doesn't, stop using the door and call a professional. We've replaced many broken reversing mechanisms in Mesa homes; many were installed before modern safety standards. 2. **Visual Inspection of Cables and Springs** — Garage door springs are under extreme tension and can snap without warning, potentially causing serious injury. Look for fraying, gaps, or unusual wear. Never attempt to adjust or replace springs yourself—this is one of the most dangerous DIY attempts we see in the East Valley. 3. **Test the Force Settings** — Modern openers have force adjustment screws. If your door opens too hard or closes with excessive force, it's a safety hazard. This is something we check on every service call in Mesa. 4. **Check Hardware Tightness** — Bolts, brackets, and hinges loosen over time, especially in Arizona's heat cycles. Loose hardware can cause doors to bind or fall. This is simple but critical. **What We've Learned Serving Mesa Since 1987** Our decades of experience in the Mesa market have taught us that most safety problems come from deferred maintenance, not defects. Regular inspection—ideally annually—catches issues before they become injuries. If you're unsure about any aspect of your door's operation, that uncertainty is itself a sign to get it inspected by a professional. On Track is a CHI Overhead Doors authorized dealer (Arizona ROC #342730) and our technicians are trained to current safety standards. If you'd like a safety inspection of your garage door system in Mesa or the East Valley, we're ready to help.