If you’ve ever owned a pet, you understand that they become integral members of your family. The loss of a pet is not only painful but can also be traumatic. This reality became all too clear for a family in Rouses Point, New York, who experienced a heartbreaking incident that could have been easily avoided.
In September 2018, Heather Gadway, accompanied by her 7-year-old son Lukas, headed out. Realizing she had left her sunglasses in the garage, she got out of her car to retrieve them. Earlier that day, she had left the garage door partially open, about 8 inches above the ground, to let the recently washed floor dry. To re-enter the garage and get her sunglasses, Heather needed to open the garage door. However, when she hit the button, the garage door didn’t open; instead, it came crashing down on the family’s dog, Brady, killing him instantly, while Heather and Lukas watched in horror.
To compound the tragedy, Heather and her husband discovered that the garage door safety sensors, or photo eyes, had been installed 16 inches above the garage floor instead of the recommended 6 inches. This rendered the sensors incapable of detecting their dog, Brady, who was shorter than 16 inches and positioned below the level of the electric eye’s infrared beam.
Additionally, Mrs. Gadway indicated that the garage door tension was way too high, which could indicate problems with the door balance, a broken garage door spring, or issues with the garage door opener’s RPM sensor and reversing mechanism.
How to Ensure That Your Garage Door Is Pet-Safe
Here are key steps to help you create a pet-friendly and safe garage door environment:
- Ensure that your garage door complies with industry safety standards and UL 325 requirements.
- Mount the garage door sensors 6” above the ground and ensure that the garage door is properly balanced.
- Properly secure garage door opener electrical wires to the wall. To add an extra layer of protection, you can use cord channels or covers to keep them out of reach.
- Avoid leaving your pet unsupervised or loose when closing the garage door.
- Have your garage door inspected and maintained at least once a year by a certified overhead door company.
If you’re uncertain about the safety of your garage door, consult a licensed garage door repair company.
