How To Keep Your Garage Safe For Your Child
As a parent or a guardian, one thing that you highly focus on is keeping your children safe and away from any danger. Yet, even your home is not free from any danger, especially with little ones that are naturally curious.
One of the areas that are prone to danger is your garage. Your garage is an important area in your house where important things are stored, for instance vehicles, appliances, motorcycles, flammable items, sports equipment, and lawn tools. These items are harmful to your children. To add up, your garage door can create danger that can harm your children.
Now, what you need to do to keep this place free from danger; to keep your little ones protected?
Start by Asking these Questions
Before doing anything consider some questions that can help you assess what you need to do to keep your garage a safe place for your children.
- Do these tools and chemicals posses danger to my children? How can I keep them away from these curious little ones?
- How often should I maintain my garage door?
- How accessible is my garage for my children? Do I have to use a padlock to prevent them from easily getting into the area?
- How can I make sure that my vehicles stored in my garage will not injure my children?
Now that you have already evaluated those dangers that are present in your garage, it is time to take actions in protecting your children.
Put Harmful Chemicals and Tools Away From Your Kids
Some of the tools that are stored in your garage are the ones that are used for your lawn and gardening, for example lawnmowers, shovels, rakes, pitchforks, and other garden tools. These tools are sharp and intriguing to young minds. Thus, it is necessary that you keep them away from your children or out of their sight. Moreover, you may want to consider installing a cabinet or a rack where you can place these tools. Also, make sure that any heavy or sharp tools are placed in a proper manner to avoid them from falling to children.
We can’t avoid having some chemicals or other liquid items in our home. They are usually used for cleaning and for other important purposes. Yet, these chemicals are very harmful to children. Make sure to properly seal the containers or storage and put them in places that are beyond the reach of your children. You may also consider having another cabinet for these liquids and lock the cabinet up.
Some items that you think may not cause harm to your children are your garbage can, pet food, and big containers. They seem harmless but the truth is they can also cause danger to your children. Store them in proper places, not accessible to young ones.
Remember that all things that are new to these young minds are interesting for them. Proper storing of any of them can prevent your children in acquiring injuries.
Limit Their Access To Your Garage
Young ones will always find a way to explore all areas of your home and that includes your garage. Securing your garage will limit their access to the area. Consider some of these things in securing your garage.
- Put a lock on the interior door that connects to your garage. You can use a knob lock with a doorknob cover and make sure to lock it all the time.
- If you don’t have an interior door that connects to your garage door, you may consider installing a Dutch door. A Dutch door is a type of door that has two sections. That allows you to open that top part of it and keeping the bottom part closed. This door is an ideal in keeping your children to sneak out while you are doing some activities in your garage. This type of door also allows some air to circulate in the area.
- Make sure that your garage door is completely closed. At times, we are in a hurry and not mindful if the door is completely closed or not. Modern garage doors have sensors that auto-reverse when something is blocking its way. When this happens, the tendency is your children can get access to your garage. You can avoid this to happen by placing things even small ones away from your garage door.
Keep Your Garage Door Child-Safe
Like other operated machines, your garage door can experience daily wear and tear. This could lead to broken or damaged parts and could eventually cause danger. Keeping your garage door well operated can prevent it from harming anyone.
- Ideally, give your garage door a quick look once a month. Inspect the small parts, hardware, and sensors. make sure that they are in proper positions and not loosened or detached.
- Keep the remote out of reach and place the buttons on a higher position.
- Test the sensors. Your garage door has a reverse mechanism that keeps it from crashing anything or anyone. This is a standard feature that promotes child-safety.
- Repair or replace if needed. If you think that your garage door needs repair or replacement then do so. This prevents harm not only to your children but also to your entire family.
Be Mindful Of The Danger Your Vehicle Can Make
Your vehicle is one of the most dangerous items you store in your garage. During the time it is in its full stop or in time it is called into action. Childproof your vehicle with these tips;
- Never allow your children to get access to your car. Keep the doors closed and the keys are not present inside your car. If you leave your keys inside the car, the tendency is they will use all their knowledge to turn it on. And, it is not possible that this action could hurt your child.
- Make sure that your child is not standing behind your car. Check anything first before backing out from your garage. Use your rear-view mirror to make sure that you are not going to hurt anyone. Make sure that your child is in a safe area before doing the action.
- If you have a motorcycle, position it safely. Make sure that a parking brake is turned on and a stand is fixed and working properly.
Your garage and garage door are important parts of your home. Though they are prone to causing danger to children, doing any precautions can give you peace of mind. Make sure that everything is placed in a safe area and everyone understands or aware of the danger.
