Families are being urged to take a 15-minute safety test to prevent injuries around the driveway and garage.
Kidsafe and garage door opener and accessories brand Merlin are leading the initiative.
“Accidents at home can happen in a flash – especially when young kids or four-legged family
members are involved,” Merlin ANZ managing director Grant Emanuel said.
“Taking the 15-minute test could save a life or prevent serious injury to a loved one.”
Kidsafe spokesperson Christine Erskine said from power tools and ladders to chemicals and cars, the garage had many potential dangers.
“Checking in and around the garage for risks should be a high priority for all families,” she said.
Up high
Check that garage lighting is working and the area is well lit.
There should be a smoke alarm with a working battery in the garage, and shelves should be anchored securely to the wall – freestanding garage shelves can cause accidents or injuries if children try to climb them.
To the side
The garage door button should be mounted at least 1.5m high, out of reach for children.
Garage door remotes with coin/button batteries should be child-resistant, with the back secured with a screw so the remote cannot release the battery.
Ladders should be stored and fixed horizontally, and power tools should be securely stowed and disconnected from power.
Any loose sports gear should be packed away.
Down low
The floor should be clean and clear, with no trip hazards such as cracks or missing chunks in the garage floor.
Access ways should be free of obstructions, such as bikes and scooters.
DIY Garage Safety Tests
After checking up high, to the side and down low, there are also three crucial safety tests to
ensure the garage door opener is in good working order.
Check the manual release cord on automatic garage door openers, and the automatic safety reverse.
Driveway and garage-related accidents resulted in 3871 and 3068 hospitalisations respectively in Australia between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
These figures showed an 11 per cent increase in driveway accidents, and 10 per cent rise in garage incidents in 12 months.
