Installation of a garage door opener is generally easier and safer than installing a new garage door. Improper installation of this, however, can be perilous so if you're doing the task yourself, be sure you carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Observe how your garage door closes down. If it shuts automatically at the push of a button or a remote control transmitter, watch it closely until it has completely hit the ground to make sure no person or animal was caught underneath it. This is especially required for a roll-up garage door.

Don't forget to install an opener reinforcement bracket at the top section of the door. Failure to do so can lead to a damaged door. Carefully follow the instructions stated in the installation manual.

If your garage door opener does not function well, then the door is probably out of balance and needs adjustment. Many factors contribute to this problem but fixing it yourself is not advisable because you could only end up getting hurt. To prevent this, call a local professional door systems technician to identify the problem and work on a possible solution.

Garage door openers are designed to reverse the direction of a descending garage door in case an obstruction occurs. If your door does not automatically reverse after contacting an obstruction, the opener's sensitivity adjustment must have been set incorrectly thus posing great danger.

In 1993, the U.S. came up with a regulation stipulating all U.S. manufactured openers should include a second safety-reversing feature such as photoelectric eyes. These are installed near the floor. Once the invisible beam is broken, the door automatically reverses. If your opener lacks a similar safety-reversing feature, then it's time to get a new opener.

The photoelectric eyes should not be installed higher than six inches above the garage floor. If the eyes are installed higher, a person or pet could get under the beam and the photo eyes may not detect them. The push button wall of your garage door opener should be placed at least five feet above the floor out of children's reach. Running under a closing door is too dangerous. Tell your children never to play around an opening and closing garage door.

Keep the remote control of the opener away from your kids and inform them of the dangers it pose. For security reasons, be sure to keep your remote controls locked up. If you park your car outside the garage, be sure to lock your car doors so that burglars won't be able to break into it, steal your remote control and gain access to your garage.

Thieves are getting a little bit techie nowadays. Some of them are even capable of recording your transmitter's signal. They can replay that signal and eventually open your door. But this can be avoided. If your transmitter (the remote control) has a rolling code technology, you can be assured that the code changes after every use. This would leave thieves with useless remote controls. Ask your garage door opener manufacturer or your local garage door dealer for more information.

Practicing these safety measures will keep our car and lives safe at all times.