While your garage door makes accessing your home from your vehicle much easier, it’s essential to ensure that pets remain safe around the structure. Since dogs and cats don’t know when the door will open or close, they could wander around the area when you’re preparing to leave or when you’re returning home. To prevent your furry friends from getting hurt, implement the following safety rules. 

How to Keep Your Pets Safe Around the Garage Door

1. Don’t Tie Them to Any Components

If you leash your dog, never attach them to the garage door tracks that run along the wall and connect to the floor. Leaving them tied to this spot would allow them to pull on the tracks and knock them out of alignment. If the door is open, this could cause it to come crashing down and put your pet at risk.

2. Always Check for Them in the Garage

Animals, especially cats, can get into the smallest hiding spaces. When the garage door is open, this can sometimes include the space between the door and the ceiling. If the door has been open for several hours, fully inspect the space before closing it. 

3. Install a Pet Door

It's common for some homeowners to leave their garage door partially open to allow their pets to go in and out of the house. While the door shouldn't pose a risk to them, it's safest to have an actual pet entrance installed either directly on the garage door or on another door of the home. As an added benefit, this will also make your garage less vulnerable to theft or visits from unwanted critters.

Scheduling regular inspections will help maintain the safety of your garage door and protect all of your household members, even the furry ones. Automatic Garage Door Repair Service has built a trusted reputation in Monroe County, NY, for providing quality and reliable repair services at reasonable rates. They have over 35 years of experience, are fully insured, and are available for emergency service. Call (585) 663-1180 for a free estimate, and visit their website for more information about their garage door services.