Tips to Keep Kids Safe Around Garage Doors
It isn’t uncommon for children to play in finished garages or ride their bikes on the driveway. This puts them in close proximity with a garage door whether it is open or closed. In some cases, it puts them in close proximity to a garage door that is closing. What can parents do to make sure their kids are safe in and around a garage?
Children Should Never Run Under a Closing Door
In the event that a garage door is closing, your child should be taught to stay clear until it has finished doing so. Once the door is closed, your child can either open it again or use a side door to get in or out. Keypads can also be installed on a garage door that can be opened by using a password if a side door is locked and no remote opener is nearby.
Don’t Try to Run Under a Door That Is Opening Either
If a garage door is in the process of opening, it isn’t a good idea to try to run under it. This is because it is possible to misjudge how fast it is rising or misjudge how far it has actually lifted from the ground. Therefore, there is a chance that a smaller child or teen could run into the door and experience a significant injury.
Regular Inspections Can Keep Your Door Working Properly
Ideally, you will have a yearly garage door repair in Las Vegas performed by a professional. This will make it possible to catch minor issues or properly diagnose larger issues that the door may have. A garage door that is working properly is less likely to hurt someone or otherwise cause headaches for homeowners or others who live in a home.
How to Childproof Your Garage and Keep It Safe
Your garage is one of the most overlooked areas when it comes to childproofing, yet it can be one of the most hazardous places in your home. From heavy tools to toxic chemicals and automatic garage doors, there are numerous safety risks. In this guide, we’ll walk you through essential steps to make your garage safer for children.
1. Secure Garage Doors and Openers
- Install a garage door sensor: Modern garage doors come with safety sensors that detect motion and prevent accidents. Ensure yours is working properly.
- Keep remote controls out of reach: Store garage door remotes in a place where kids can’t access them.
- Teach kids about garage door safety: Make sure they understand that the garage door is not a toy.
2. Store Hazardous Materials Safely
- Lock up chemicals and tools: Place paints, automotive fluids, and pesticides in high cabinets with locks.
- Secure power tools: Use locked cabinets or shelves to prevent children from accessing dangerous tools.
- Use childproof latches: Cabinets and drawers should have safety latches to keep little hands away from dangerous items.
3. Prevent Falls and Injuries
- Declutter and organize: Keep the garage floor clear of trip hazards like cords, boxes, and loose items.
- Install rubber mats: These can provide better traction and prevent slipping.
- Use wall-mounted storage: Hanging bikes, ladders, and other heavy items can reduce the risk of them falling on a child.
4. Maintain Your Garage Door for Safety
- Check the springs and cables regularly: These components can wear out over time and pose serious risks if they snap.
- Schedule professional maintenance: A trained technician can inspect and service your garage door to ensure it’s operating safely.
- Upgrade to a child-friendly garage door system: If your garage door is outdated, consider upgrading to a modern system with enhanced safety features.
Teaching Children About Garage Door Safety
Garage door repair in Henderson is often necessary because children used the door as a toy or left a bicycle in the wrong place. Kids will be kids, but parents who’ve never introduced their children to the system and how to use it should consider doing so. That kind of knowledge leads many children to behave in the way you want.
Introduce Them to the System
Show them the system and how it works. Kids are curious by nature, and most will find it fascinating. Demonstrate how the system is enabled and disabled. Explain the bypass trigger that lets the door be used in manual mode. If the opener has a backup battery or is connected to a home generator, explain that aspect as well. Be sure to emphasize the photo eye and mechanical safety mechanisms too.
Point Out What Can Hurt Them
This will vary from one configuration to the next, but in general, the areas to highlight are the spring system and the lifting cable. Springs can hurt people when moving, and the kids ever see a broken spring, they should tell you immediately. The cables are under extreme tension and should never be touched because if they’re ever compromised, they can hurt people really badly as well.
Teach Kids How to Access the Garage
Explain the remote. If the garage is accessed through a smartphone, give them that responsibility on their own phones. If you have a keypad, give them the code and show them how to enter it. Stress how important all of this is to the safety of your family and home.
Emphasize That the Garage Door Is Not a Toy
Even with this knowledge, riding up and down may seem like a lot of fun. Explain to children that regular maintenance costs you time and/or money and that their fun time would be make your expenses go up.
