When it comes to safety at home we not only need to consider ourselves but our family and pets too. This is especially true if we have young children in the house, and those of us who have kids know, they love to get into anything and everything! This is why as parents, we take precautions and the necessary steps to childproof our home for optimal safety. Which is why in this article, we are going to review how to childproof your garage for the safety of your little ones.
Common Points Of Risk
When we step back to look at the garage for childproofing, we need to assess where the highest points of risk are and what can be done to eliminate them. Typical garage risk points include the vehicles, concrete floors, the garage door when in motion, and any tools or supplies that are stored within.
It’s a good idea to ask yourself these questions before applying bubble wrap around your garage:
- Can my child reach anything dangerous (Tools or Chemicls)
- Is my garage cluttered? Can my child trip and fall?
- Do I keep my vehicles locked, even when they are inside the garage?
- How often do I do maintenance on my garage door and opener?
- Any other risks in the area? Such as trash or pet food?
Assessing these common risk factors will go a long way in helping you know where your attention is needed most. Organizing your garage in a manner that keeps dangerous items out of your child’s reach will be the first step in beginning the childproofing process.
Childproof Your Garage With These Tips
Some ideas when childproofing include storing chemicals and any other dangerous substances out of reach, keeping in mind that some children are climbers and will do their best to get to these regardless of how high you put them. So consider getting a storage cabinet with a lock, being sure to store the key in a safe and inaccessible area that your child cannot reach.
Consider adding a dutch door to your garage exit, this will allow the bottom half of your door to remain closed while the top half allows fresh air to flow in, not to mention the ability to transfer items such as groceries over the closed lower half.
Remove the clutter! Spring is just around the corner and is a great time to go through all the extra supplies in your garage to determine what you’ve used recently and what hasn’t been touched in a few years. If you find you can’t live without all of the items in your garage, then it’s a great time to organize!
Maintain And Monitor Your Garage Door And Opener
When was the last time you did maintenance on your garage door? If your answer is “never” or “I don’t even remember it’s been so long,” then it’s about time to give your garage door some much-needed attention. A quick review of your door will tell you the state it is in and how safe it is for your children to be around. If your garage door goes down on its own when released from your garage door opener, then this is a good sign that there is a dangerous imbalance that can lead to further issues in the future.
Monitor your kids when they are in the garage as well, many children love to open and close the garage door with the automatic opener and don’t consider the risks involved in running beneath the door. Ensure your garage door opener is up to date with the latest reverse technology, so as to prevent injury should your child be caught beneath the door.
If you have any questions or would like some professional maintenance on your garage door, then give us a call right here at Straight Up Garage.
