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A garage door technician from Forest Garage Doors going through a safety inspection of a homeowner's garage door with them.

Garage Door Safety: Protecting Your Home and Loved Ones

Each May, Garage Door Safety Month reminds us that your garage door is the largest moving part of your home—and one of the most overlooked sources of risk. From pinched fingers and crushed limbs to break-ins through a poorly secured door, the hazards are real. Below, we’ve blended best practices from national safety experts with local know-how from Forest Garage Doors—your brick-and-mortar, family-owned partner since 1946—to help you keep your home, family, and belongings safe.

Table of Contents

Why Garage Door Safety Matters

Thousands of Injuries Every Year

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates over 30,000 garage-door–related injuries annually—everything from minor scrapes to life-threatening trauma.

Home Security Concerns

A malfunctioning or improperly secured garage door is an easy entry point for intruders. Leaving your door partially open, using a weak locking system, or relying on an unknown installer can compromise your home’s safety.

Peace of Mind

A properly maintained door not only protects against accidents but also runs more quietly, lasts longer, and preserves your insurance and warranty coverage.

Man inspecting a garage door that has fallen off its track.

Four Pillars of Garage Door Safety

Promote Safe Operation

  • Never walk under a moving door.
  • Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from tracks, hinges, and garage door springs.
  • Store remotes and wall switches up high—out of reach of children and pets.

2. Test Your Auto-Reverse System

  1. Place a 2×4 block on the floor under the door.
  2. Close the door—if it doesn’t immediately reverse on contact, stop using it and call in a pro.
  3. This feature is your last line of defense against crushing injuries.

3. Schedule Professional Inspections

Annual Safety Tune-Ups

Technicians will inspect and adjust:

  • Torsion & extension springs (under extreme tension)
  • Cables & pulleys
  • Rollers & tracks
  • Photo-eye sensors & auto-reverse mechanisms

Preventive Maintenance

Lubrication, balance tests, and hardware tightening stave off noisy operation and emergency failures—saving you time, money, and headaches down the road.

4. Guard Against Scammers

Unfortunately, fly-by-night outfits prey on homeowners’ urgency:

  • No Physical Address or only a P.O. box
  • Unmarked Vehicles and unprofessional uniforms
  • High-Pressure Sales Tactics (“You must do this now or you’ll be in danger!”)
  • No Online Reviews or overwhelmingly negative ratings

Forest Garage Doors is fully licensed, insured, and has served Chicagoland from our Cicero showroom—since 1946. We have a verified address, marked trucks, and hundreds of five-star reviews to prove it.

Advanced Safety & Security Upgrades

For homeowners who want to go beyond basic maintenance and fortify both safety and security, consider these cutting-edge enhancements:
myQ garage door security and remote locking system

Remote-Control Locking Systems

Reinforce security when you’re away—no more guessing whether you fully closed the door.

Person viewing the myQ garage door app on their smartphone.

Smart Openers with Wi-Fi

Monitor and operate your door from anywhere via smartphone. Receive alerts if it’s left open or someone tries to force it.

Garage door technician installing insulation on a garage door.

Insulated Panels & Heavy-Duty Hardware

Enhance energy efficiency in your garage, reduce noise, and bolster resistance to forced entry—important in Chicago’s temperature extremes.

Don’t Fall Victim to Garage Door Scams

Here are three things to look for when searching for a qualified dealer:

Consistency and Easy Access

If you are looking for a reputable dealer, it’s essential they are consistent. Consider, are they using the same logo and company branding? All contact information and addresses should be the same. You should be able to call or email the company with ease. For instance, Forest Garage Doors has a single phone number, our vans are all branded. If you think you’ve hired Forest, and it doesn’t look like us, call us right away! (708) 652-9405

A Reasonable Quote

The most common way scammers reach consumers is by providing a quote that is too good to be true. Qualified door dealers outline a quote that is consistent with the problem and will include the necessary labor and costs. If you want to ensure your quote is good, call the company and ask to review the quote with a salesperson.

Expectations are Made

Scammers often show up without identification of the company they work for and even impersonate companies at times. A reputable dealer will detail who to expect and provide proper identification. Most will show up wearing their company logo on their shirt, hat, or even their vehicle.

Why Forest Garage Doors Is Your Best Choice

When it comes to safeguarding your home, you want more than a quick fix—you want peace of mind. Here’s why Forest Garage Doors stands out:

  1. Decades of Expertise
    Since 1946, Forest Garage Doors has perfected the art of installation, repair, and maintenance. We’ve seen every door type, problem, and solution—and refined our processes over nearly 80 years.
  2. Brick-and-Mortar Reliability
    As a locally based, family-owned company, we’re invested in this community. Our reputation lives here, and we answer calls promptly, show up on time, and stand behind our work. We answer our own phones, show up on time, and won’t disappear when the job is done.
  3. Comprehensive Service
    From precision spring replacement to state-of-the-art openers, we handle every component with an eye toward longevity and safety.
  4. Fair Pricing & Integrity
    No hidden fees, no unnecessary upsells—just fair estimates and clear communication.
  5. Industry-Leading Warranties
    Our parts and labor warranties protect you long after we’ve left your driveway.

Protect your family from preventable accidents—and your home from intrusion—with the experts who know garage doors inside and out.

Here for You in 1946 … Here for You Today. Work With the Best.

With decades of expertise, Forest Garage Doors stands as a pinnacle in garage door services. Our rich history ensures unmatched knowledge and reliability, setting us apart as industry leaders since 1946.

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