How to Childproof Your Garage
Are you welcoming a little one to your household? Getting the garage ready for wandering feet is a key part of childproofing a home, especially since garages often contain heavy equipment, trip hazards and dangerous chemicals.
Childproofing a garage doesn’t have to be a big task though. With a few simple preparations, you can ensure it becomes a safe part of the home that presents minimal danger to your family.
Here at Doormatic, we’ve put together the following handy article to help you get started. We’re also on hand to help with any garage door repairs, refurbishments or replacements in the South East.
Identify hazardous items and store them away
Review your garage and identify any items that could pose a hazard to young children. Store them appropriately and safely in the following ways:
- Heavy equipment and power tools should be locked away and kept out of reach of children
- Sharp blades or objects should be stored in locked toolboxes or other secure storage containers
- All chemicals should ideally be stored in their original containers, accurately labelled and kept far out of a child’s reach on high shelves or cupboards
There may be other hazards not listed above that are individual to your garage, so be vigilant and take the time to assess everything.
Tidy up trip hazards
Cords, wires and clutter can all pose a trip hazard to little ones. Children are often full of energy, and so running around with obstacles in the way can pose a safety risk. Keeping your garage clean, tidy and devoid of any trip hazards will reduce the risk of harm to any children and make it easier for everyone to navigate your garage.
Cover electrical sockets
Use socket covers for all electrical outlets in the garage. This barrier prevents children from indulging their curiosity by putting fingers or other items in the outlets, reducing the risk of electrocution.
Keep remotes and buttons out of reach
Whether it’s a remote or a button, try and keep garage door openers out of a child’s reach. Garage doors are incredibly heavy and can be dangerous when opening and closing. While many garages have an automatic reversal mechanism if they sense an object below them, it’s still not something to rely on and definitely isn’t a risk worth taking.
Educate your children
Teaching your children about garage safety will give them the tools and knowledge to keep themselves safe too. Depending on the age of the child, you may need to consider how you deliver this information. Using play and stories could be effective for younger children, whereas older children may be more receptive to being told directly.
Review and repair your garage door
Faults and damage can impede the safe operation of your garage door, making malfunctions more likely. This can be hazardous to users and any exploring children, especially if the reversal mechanism is affected, as this safety feature detects obstacles below the door and automatically reverses its path.
That is why it’s essential to correct any unresolved faults before they worsen. It’s also vital to use a highly trained company, such as Doormatic, to ensure the repair is in line with rigorous industry standards.
New garage with updated safety features
Another option is to replace an old and outdated garage door with a brand new one. This gives you the benefit of the most up-to-date safety features to keep your family protected. When you choose a new door, the sales team at Doormatic can help you select the right model to both elevate your kerb appeal and incorporate modernised safety features and technology.
Here at Doormatic, we’re your go-to garage door partner for the South East. Whether you want time-efficient repairs or a full garage door replacement, we can help you enhance the safety and appearance of your home. Get in touch to find out more.
About Doormatic Garage Doors
Doormatic Garage Doors is a well-established independent supplier of garage doors based in Guildford, Surrey and Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire.
