What should I do to make my garage safe for kids?

Garages are one of the most hazardous spaces in a home for children, and most Ottawa families use their garages for far more than just parking — they become storage areas, workshops, and overflow spaces that kids naturally want to explore. Making a garage reasonably safe for children does not require a massive investment, but it does require deliberate attention to several categories of risk.

The garage door opener is the single most important safety concern. Modern garage door openers sold in Canada are required to have auto-reverse sensors — the photoelectric eyes mounted near the floor on either side of the door opening. These sensors detect an obstruction and reverse the door before it closes on a child, pet, or object. If your opener predates this requirement or the sensors are misaligned, this needs to be addressed immediately. Test the auto-reverse by placing a roll of paper towels in the door's path and closing it — the door should reverse the moment it contacts the obstruction. If it does not, the opener needs service or replacement. A new garage door opener with modern safety features costs $350 to $700 installed in Ottawa.

Also disable or secure the wall-mounted door button if young children can reach it. A button lockout cover costs $10 to $15 and prevents little hands from operating the door unsupervised. Keep all garage door remotes out of children's reach and teach older kids that the garage door is not a toy.

Chemical and hazardous material storage is the next priority. A typical Ottawa garage contains gasoline for the lawnmower, antifreeze, windshield washer fluid, paint thinner, pesticides, fertilizers, de-icing salt, and assorted cleaning products — many of which are toxic or flammable. All chemicals should be stored in a locked cabinet or on high shelving that children cannot access. A lockable steel storage cabinet for garage chemicals costs $100 to $300 and is one of the best safety investments you can make. Never store chemicals in unmarked containers, and keep products in their original packaging with labels visible.

Tools and sharp objects need the same treatment. Hand tools, power tools, sharp garden implements, and loose hardware should be stored on wall-mounted pegboard, in a locked tool chest, or on high shelving. A good wall-mounted tool organization system costs $50 to $200 and has the added benefit of keeping your garage tidier and more functional.

For attached garages, ensure the fire-rated door between the garage and house has a self-closing mechanism and a lock or childproof handle that prevents young children from wandering into the garage unsupervised. A child entering the garage alone and pressing the door opener button is a scenario every parent needs to prevent.

Other practical safety measures include covering or capping exposed electrical outlets with safety covers, ensuring adequate lighting so you can see what children are doing (a well-lit garage is much safer than a dim one), keeping the floor clear of trip hazards and oil slicks, and storing ladders horizontally or secured to the wall so they cannot be climbed or tipped over. If you have a floor drain, make sure the grate is secure and not a finger-trapping hazard for small children.

Finally, consider installing a carbon monoxide detector near the garage-to-house door if you do not already have one. Children are more vulnerable to CO poisoning than adults due to their smaller body mass and faster breathing rate. The cost is $30 to $50 for a quality CO alarm — a negligible price for that layer of protection.

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