STEP 1: Check to make sure your garage door opener is equipped with photo eyes. If your opener lacks a similar safety reversing feature, it’s time to get a new opener. Properly installed photo-eyes (black sensors) should be mounted no higher than six inches off the floor.

STEP 2: Block the photo-eye with an object over six inches tall and press the garage door opener's close button. The door should not close. If it does, you need to call a garage door professional.

Do you know about The Six-Inch Rule? The photo eyes mentioned above 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 not be detected by the photo-eyes.

STEP 3: Test your door’s sensitivity. A correctly installed garage door opener will automatically retract after making contact with an object. This is the primary safety device installed in U.S- manufactured garage door openers. As a homeowner, you want both safety systems (primary and secondary -photo eyes) to be performing perfectly.

Lay an object that is at least 1.5 inches in height flat on the ground in the door’s path and press the close button. Household objects this size might be a bar of soap, stack of index cards, or a hardcover book. The door should reverse off this object. If it makes contact and does not reverse, the door is not operating correctly.

Record your results and contact a LiftMaster Garage Safety Expert in your area to seek guidance on next steps so this vital entrance is safe and secure.

Make a habit of performing these safety checks whenever you test your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector, and keep your garage, home and family safe