December 28, 2025 6 min read
Garage doors are one of the largest moving objects in most homes, and they can pose serious safety risks—especially for children. Modern garage doors incorporate pinch protection and other safety features to prevent injuries. Here's what every family should know.
Traditional garage doors have gaps between panels that can trap fingers when the door opens or closes. These "pinch points" have caused thousands of injuries, particularly to young children who may not recognize the danger.
Modern garage doors use several design features to eliminate or minimize pinch points:
Panels that sit flush with each other when closed eliminate traditional gaps where fingers could be caught.
Specially designed hinges keep panels close together throughout the door's operation, preventing finger entrapment.
Some manufacturers use interlocking panel designs that never create gaps wide enough to trap fingers.
Required by law, these sensors detect objects in the door's path and automatically reverse the door.
If the door contacts an obstruction while closing, it automatically reverses direction.
The emergency release cord allows you to disconnect the door from the opener if power fails or the system malfunctions.
Prevents criminals from intercepting and duplicating your opener's signal.
- Never play under or near a moving garage door - Never race to beat the door - Keep fingers away from panel joints - Never touch the opener or remotes without adult supervision - Immediately tell an adult if the door acts strangely
If your garage door lacks modern safety features, consider:
1. Adding photo eye sensors if your door doesn't have them 2. Replacing worn springs to prevent sudden failure 3. Upgrading to a door with pinch protection for homes with young children 4. Installing a timer-to-close feature that automatically closes an open door
Consider replacement if your door: - Was manufactured before 1993 - Lacks photo eye sensors - Has visible pinch points between panels - Shows signs of structural wear - Has damaged or malfunctioning safety features
At Garage Door Stratford, every installation includes comprehensive safety features. We test all safety mechanisms before completing any job and educate homeowners on proper door operation. Contact us for a free safety inspection of your existing door.