Parents want the best for their children, which is why they do whatever it takes to keep them happy, safe and secure. One way to ensure their safety is to make their homes child-friendly. However, most parents fail to extend their child-proofing strategies into the garage. Children are very curious individuals, and if you think that they will be reluctant to go in an unfamiliar place, that is a big mistake.
The garage is one of the most unsafe places for your child since this is where you typically store paints, house-cleaning solutions, pesticides, motorized vehicles and a variety of sharp objects. Power tools, garden equipment, matches and gasoline are lethal weapons; left in the hands of a child, they are even more dangerous. It does not help that most children are fascinated with doors. A door that they once saw open and close with a push of a button makes things more exciting in their eyes. If the thought of your child playing with garage doors frightens you, start child proofing the area as soon as you can.
They are difficult to keep safe. While there is no perfect method to keep areas in the house 100 percent safe, you can lessen the risks by enforcing safety enhancements to your garage doors. Here are some safety tips to reduce the chance of accidents involving garage doors and kids.
Check if the Auto-Reverse Mechanism is Working Properly
In 1982, the US Federal Law mandated that manufacturers of garage door openers equip their products with an auto-reverse mechanism that automatically causes the door to reverse its direction upon contact with anything solid before locking in place. In 1993, the law also enforced that photoelectric sensors be offered with garage door openers to avoid entrapment.
Regularly check if your garage door’s sensors and auto-reverse mechanism are functioning properly. You can do this by placing a chair or a small wood plank in the way of the garage door. If the garage door continues to press downward, your reverse mechanism and photoelectric sensors may be broken. Upon confirming this, you must call a garage door technician right away and have these components repaired.
Keep Door Controls Out of Children’s Reach
Never leave your garage door’s remote control lying around and within easy access. Children are often amused by things that open and close, especially when they can control it using a handy remote control. They can open and close repeatedly, causing damage to the motors which runs the door. When the motor gets damaged, it could no longer perform the auto-reverse feature which could pose a high safety risk. The doors could jam and come down on your toddler, causing serious injuries.
Make Sure There are No Exposed Electrical Wires
Always inspect the electrical components of your garage doors. Live-wires invite disaster. When your children accidentally comes in contact with it, it could electrocute or even kill them. Regularly check for any exposed wiring or cables. Make sure that your garage is not rat-infested since rats could eat up the cables and leave the wires out in the open.
Install a dead bolt on the Door Leading to the Garage
To make sure that your toddler will not be able to walk unknowingly into the garage, install a dead bolt on the door leading to it. Make sure that the door is closed and locked at all times to prevent your child from entering the garage.