Garage door safety is essential- especially if you have children. Children can get their fingers stuck in garage door gaps. They can get hit by closing garage doors- and so much more. 

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to childproof your garage doors. Childproofing will minimize the risk of injury. It will ensure your children are safe. 

Importance of Garage Door Safety

Several incidents can occur when children play in garages and close to garage doors. Examples include:

• Fingers stuck in garage door gaps: Children can stick their fingers inside garage door gaps. Their fingers can get stuck in the gaps and become scratched, bruised, or even broken. 
• Fall Risk: Garage doors are usually remote-controlled, but if they are dysfunctional, they could fall on a child. A child can also get in the way of a garage door as it is closing. 
• Safety Concerns Inside the Garage: Garages can be unsafe areas. They can be cluttered and hold sharp tools and instruments. You may not want your child inside your garage unsupervised. There’s also a risk that your child can get locked inside the garage. Garage door safety features will prevent these incidents from occurring. 

Tips for Childproofing Your Garage Doors

Seal Gaps

Sealing gaps will prevent your children from sticking their fingers into holes where they can become injured. You can seal gaps with rubber seals and stoppers. Doing so will also increase insulation, save energy, and maintain a comfortable climate in your garage. 

Use an AutoReverse Feature on Your Remote

An autoreverse feature will detect objects below the garage door as it closes. If it detects something is there, it will reverse its movement and return to an open position. It will reduce the risk of the garage door falling on a child, pet, or anything else that may be in its way. 

Childproof YouR Garage Door Opener

Childproofing your garage door opener involves programming it so people will need to input a code before they use it. It will prevent your child from opening the garage. It will reduce the risk of them getting inside where they run the risk of hurting themselves. 

You can also use a smart garage door opener you program through your cellphone. Your child will be unable to use it unless they know your cellphone code. 

If you cannot childproof your garage door opener, store it in an area your child cannot access. 

Lock the Doors

Lock your garage doors when the garage is not in use. Doing so will keep your child outside of a dangerous garage. It will also prevent them from injuring themselves by trying to lift the door. 

Protect the Window Glass

If your garage doors have windows, keep the glass protected. Glass can shatter during a natural disaster and hurt children or anyone else who is nearby. Security film or laminates will make the glass more shatter-resistant. 

Perform Regular Maintenance Checks

Maintenance checks will ensure your garage is safe. They include: 

Check the Safe-T Beams

Safe T-Beams feature an invisible infrared beam that runs across the garage door opening. If the beams detect a child, the door will reverse and open. 

The beams are self-diagnostic. They should alert you if there is an issue. However, you can also tell they are working by looking at them. The beams should have one solid red LED and one solid green LED. 

You should also wipe the lenses regularly to ensure they are clean. 

Test the Reverse Safety System

If you have a reverse safety system, test it regularly to ensure it’s still working. You can do this by placing a 2” x 4” board in the center of the garage door opening. The door should open when it hits the board. 

You can also perform a non-contact test by rolling a ball under the door while it’s closing. The door should reverse when it detects the ball. 

Maintain Your Garage Door Opener

Most garage door openers need to be replaced every 10-15 years. You can extend its lifespan with regular lubrication. You should also test the battery to ensure it is working. 

Care for Your Door Hardware

Check on your door hardware to ensure it is functioning properly. Inspect chains and belts for slack. Adjust them if necessary. 

You should also lubricate your rollers and hinges with lightweight, general-purpose grease to ensure your garage door doesn’t get stuck. 

Childproofing Your Garage Doors FAQs

What are the Most Common Garage Door Injuries?

The most common garage door injuries include:

• Getting hit with a falling garage door
• Getting your fingers pinched in a garage door
• Getting cut with garage door window glass

How do you teach kids about garage door safety?

It’s critical to teach your kids about garage door safety. Tell your child not to touch components of the door that may injure them. Instruct them to stand far back when the door closes and opens. 

If you have an older child, you can show them how to use the garage door safely. 

Quality Products and Installation are Crucial to Safety

You will also limit safety risks by choosing a trusted garage door contractor. A reliable provider will offer quality products that are not likely to break and increase the risk of injury. Their skilled installers will ensure the garage doors and accessories withstand the test of time. 

Raynor Door Authority has been in the garage door industry for over 40 years. We offer top-notch products and installation. We can also repair garage doors to ensure injuries don’t occur. 

Contact us for all your garage door-related needs.