The best way to protect a child in and
around the garage, including the garage door is preventing he or she from
getting in there in the first place. Small children love to lock doors, and
they are just as good at unlocking them if there is a key in lock or if it is a
twisting lock. Installing chain locks or some other top mounted lock will keep
little ones from getting in without permission. Most importantly though is
that that one use it. If the child can't
get in they can't cause mischief.
If the garage door has an automatic
garage door opener, then there are a few precautionary checks to make. The
opener installed in the garage needs to be at least 5 feet off the ground so
that little hands can't push the button. Small children and animals often get startled
by the loud noise and may bolt in or out and get hurt in the process. The
bolting through the garage door should also be triggering the automatic
reversing sensor. This leads to extra, unnecessary work on the motor. The
automatic reversing sensor should also be installed and tested once a month.
The garage opener should also never be activated unless one is watching the
door way. Don't push the button and walk away.
If it does not have an automatic
opener, consider having a garage door installation service called in. The
garage doors that are functioning properly should be light enough for a 5 year
old to open, and those little bodies love testing their strengths and
abilities. Be sure to lock the door when it is down to prevent children from
getting in without permission.
Control the tool boxes. If a lock can
be installed do so. Don't leave any toxic chemicals, like anti-freeze, on an
open shelf lower than 5 feet. Make sure all the cutting devices are out of
reach. Peg Boards installed up and out of reach can be used to hold large or
awkward shaped saws, axes, and pruning shears.
Don't leave a step ladder. It won't matter if the dangerous stuff is up
high; if a handy step ladder keeps it within reach.
All the locks and secured storage will
only go so far. The best way to
childproof a garage is simply teaching respect for the garage, and that
includes the garage door. Don't simply stress that the garage is full of adult
things. There is nothing a young child wants to do more that be an adult. Small children want to
prove to their parents that they are big enough to handle anything, and they
want to prove to their friends that they can do anything their big sister or
brother can do. A parent learns that their child has overcome the childproofing
by finding their hand in the drawer or through the door. Children are always
watching and learning and mastering new skills. As parents or care givers, the
responsibility lies with us to teach them that these things are dangerous and
should be treated with caution. One doesn't have to be afraid of the motor oil,
but one does need to understand that it has a specific purpose. Show them how the chemical or tool works and
stress that is it special for that purpose and requires special care. Then
treat it with the special care, and put it away after it has been used.