How do I test my garage door auto-reverse feature?

Place a 50mm-thick piece of wood flat on the ground in the door's path. Close the door using the remote or wall button. The door should reverse immediately when it contacts the wood. If it doesn't, don't use the door until it's serviced.

What do the lights on my garage door sensors mean?

Most systems have two sensors: a sending unit (usually amber/yellow LED) and receiving unit (green LED). Both lights should be solid when aligned correctly. A blinking receiving light means the beam is broken or misaligned.

Can a garage door injure or kill someone?

Yes. A standard garage door weighs 70-150kg. Without properly functioning safety features, a falling door can cause crush injuries, broken bones, or death. Children are particularly at risk. Annual safety checks are essential.

How high should my garage door wall button be?

Australian Standards recommend mounting the wall button at least 1.5 metres from the floor and away from the door's moving parts. This prevents young children from reaching it. You can also add a button cover that requires adult-strength pressure.

What is a finger-safe garage door?

Finger-safe doors have panel joints designed to prevent fingers from being trapped between sections as the door folds. Look for AS/NZS 4505 compliant doors. This is especially important for families with young children.

How do I use the emergency release on my garage door?

The emergency release is a red cord hanging from the trolley (opener mechanism). Pulling it disconnects the door from the opener, allowing manual operation. Use it during power outages or if the opener fails. Pull down and toward the opener to engage.

Are old garage doors dangerous?

Doors installed before 1993 may lack modern safety features like auto-reverse sensors. Even compliant doors need regular testing as sensors can drift out of alignment. If your door is over 15 years old, consider a professional safety audit.

Should I teach my children about garage door safety?

Absolutely. Teach children to never run under a moving door, never play with remotes, keep fingers away from panel joints, and never touch springs or cables. Make sure they know the door is heavy and dangerous, not a toy.

Garage Door Safety: Protecting Your Family from Australia's Heaviest Moving Object

A standard garage door weighs 100-200kg - enough to cause serious injury or death if it falls. Australian homes see preventable accidents every year. Here's how to make sure your garage door is safe for your family.

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0461 410 198

Quick Answer: What to Do Right Now

✓ Try these safe checks first:

Auto-reverse function works (place object in path)
Safety sensors have solid lights (not blinking)
Manual release cord is accessible
No gaps where fingers could be trapped
Door doesn't slam closed or drop

⚠ Call a professional immediately if:

Door drops faster than normal
Auto-reverse doesn't trigger
Sensors are missing or damaged
Springs are visibly worn or rusted
Children can reach the wall button

Safety Checklist & Warning Signs

Symptom	Likely Cause	Safe DIY Check	Call a Tech If...
Auto-reverse not triggering	Sensor misalignment or force settings wrong	Place object in path and test closure	Door doesn't reverse on contact - stop using immediately
Sensors blinking or missing	Damaged, dirty, or misaligned sensors	Clean lenses and check alignment	Lights still blinking after cleaning
Springs visibly rusted or stretched	Age and wear compromise spring integrity	Visual inspection only from safe distance	Any visible rust, gaps, or stretching
Cables frayed or loose	Wear from age or spring issues	Look for fraying or slack in cables	Any cable damage visible - do not operate door
Wall button accessible to children	Mounted too low or no safety cover	Measure button height (should be 1.5m+)	Need button relocated or cover installed
Emergency release not working	Jammed cord or broken mechanism	Test red release cord function	Cord doesn't disengage door from opener

Auto-reverse not triggering

Likely cause: Sensor misalignment or force settings wrong

Safe DIY check: Place object in path and test closure

Call a tech if: Door doesn't reverse on contact - stop using immediately

Sensors blinking or missing

Likely cause: Damaged, dirty, or misaligned sensors

Safe DIY check: Clean lenses and check alignment

Call a tech if: Lights still blinking after cleaning

Springs visibly rusted or stretched

Likely cause: Age and wear compromise spring integrity

Safe DIY check: Visual inspection only from safe distance

Call a tech if: Any visible rust, gaps, or stretching

Cables frayed or loose

Likely cause: Wear from age or spring issues

Safe DIY check: Look for fraying or slack in cables

Call a tech if: Any cable damage visible - do not operate door

Wall button accessible to children

Likely cause: Mounted too low or no safety cover

Safe DIY check: Measure button height (should be 1.5m+)

Call a tech if: Need button relocated or cover installed

Emergency release not working

Likely cause: Jammed cord or broken mechanism

Safe DIY check: Test red release cord function

Call a tech if: Cord doesn't disengage door from opener

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If you're seeing crooked movement, loose cables, or a heavy door, it's safer to stop using it. Call us for safety inspection in your area or request a callback in 2 minutes.

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