For many homeowners, the garage is one of the main entry points in and out of their home each day. As such, having a garage door system with proper safety features is extremely important. In this post, we’ll discuss some key additions you can make to boost protection for you and your family – visible light notifications and safety beam sensors.
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Why Consider Upgrades?
While most newer garage door openers come with basic safety sensors, not all homes have the latest models. And situations change as kids grow up and start moving in and out on their own. Adding extra notification lights and infrared safety beams gives an extra layer of security worth having. They help prevent accidental closings that could lead to injuries. Some property insurers may even offer discounts for reinforced door safety features.
Visible Light Notification
One simple but effective upgrade is installing exterior LED lights linked to the door motor. These illuminate when the door is in motion, giving visible warnings that it’s not safe to walk underneath. Lights are triggered by the same sensor that detects an obstruction, flashing bright colors as a clear sign to stop. Thebulbs are weatherproof for outdoor use and install quickly by running new wires. Garage Door Replacement in Yorktown can usually complete this upgrade professionally in under an hour.
Safety Beam Sensors
For enhanced protection, especially useful if small children are present, consider adding infrared beam sensors. These work by emitting and detecting a light signal across the door opening a few inches above the floor. If the light conversation is interrupted, a signal is sent to stop and reverse door movement. Beams offer a more precise level of protection than basic force sensors alone. New sensors mount easily on the sides of the garage door for a seamless do-it-yourself installation. Just be sure door and sensors are properly aligned for the beam to work correctly.
How Do They Work?
Both light notifications and safety beams are powered by the garage door opener and monitored by its control logic board. When the infrared beam is broken during closing, or when an obstruction is detected, the motor immediately stops and reverses direction to open fully. At the same time, external LED lights will flash loudly as a clear warning not to approach. This provides an instant visual and audible signal if someone has accidentally triggered the sensor. The system helps mitigate injury risks better than relying on basic bump sensor technology alone.
Installing Safety Upgrades Yourself
Adding visible light notifications and safety beam sensors is usually a straightforward DIY project if you’re reasonably handy. But it may also make sense to have specialists handle the work, especially if your existing system is older. Professionals can complete the job properly in a short period of time. Either way, most major hardware stores stock the necessary components. Just be sure to turn off power at the garage door opener before accessing any wiring. Complete instructions are provided with purchase for an easy self-install if preferred.
Investing in security upgrades for your garage door system helps give you peace of mind. Lights and infrared beams act as an added layer of protection against accidents. The small initial cost is well worth the enhanced safety for family members who use the door frequently. Even for older existing doors, these features install relatively easily while reinforcing protection for years to come.
Juan Farr is an avid home blogger, with the goal of helping his readers find inspiration and ideas for their next project. He writes about everything from small design projects to large renovations. His goal is to help people transform their homes into something that reflects who they are.
