For most families, the garage is more than a place to park — it’s a workshop, a storage space, an entryway, or even a play zone for kids riding scooters or chasing the dog. But it’s also one of the largest and heaviest moving systems in the entire home.
A garage door can weigh 150–400+ pounds, and without the right safety precautions, that creates real risks for children.
At State Line Garage Doors, we’ve helped countless families in Lawrenceburg, Spring Hill, Muscle Shoals, Savannah, and the surrounding areas make their garage doors safer and more child-friendly. This guide covers everything parents need to know to protect their little ones.
1. Start With the Most Important Feature: Safety Sensors
Every garage door built after 1993 is required to have photoelectric safety sensors (the small devices near the bottom of the tracks). These detect motion and stop the door from closing on a child, pet, bike, or toy.
Make sure sensors are:
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Clean and free of dirt or spiderwebs
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Properly aligned (both lights should be solid, not blinking)
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Mounted at the correct height (usually 4–6 inches off the floor)
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Untouched by kids who might bump or play with them
If your sensors fail even once, they should be repaired immediately.
2. Test the Auto-Reverse Feature Monthly
Your garage door should automatically reverse if it senses an obstruction.
Test it by:
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Placing a roll of paper towels or a small board under the door
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Closing the door
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Ensuring it reverses immediately upon contact
If it doesn’t reverse, the opener must be serviced — it’s not safe.
3. Keep Remotes and Keypads Out of Reach
Kids love buttons — especially ones that open giant moving doors.
Keep remotes:
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Off counters
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Out of cars your children can access
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In high cabinets or drawers
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Never stored in reachable garage shelves
For keypads mounted outside, make sure they’re installed at least 5 feet high.
4. Teach Kids the “No Play Zone” Rule
Garage doors should never be toys, and that includes:
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Hanging from the door as it moves
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Running under it while closing
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Playing near the tracks
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Touching the emergency release cord
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Pressing opener buttons repeatedly
Creating a family “garage door safety rule” helps keep everyone safe.
5. Secure the Emergency Release Cord
The emergency release cord is essential for adults — but dangerous for children. Pulling it disengages the opener, making the door easy to lift by hand, even by a curious child.
To secure it safely:
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Tie the cord up high
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Replace the long cord with a short pull handle
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Add a protective shield if needed
We can install a child-safe emergency release system during a tune-up.
6. Add a Manual Garage Door Lock if Needed
A built-in manual lock prevents kids from lifting the door after accidentally triggering the release mechanism.
It also:
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Improves security
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Prevents forced entry
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Stops curious hands from experimenting with the door
Low-cost and high-impact.
7. Inspect Springs, Cables, and Rollers Regularly
Kids don’t need to touch these parts for them to be dangerous. A sudden spring or cable failure can cause loud bangs, falling debris, and risk of injury.
Look for:
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Rust
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Gaps in springs
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Frayed cables
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Loose brackets
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Bent tracks
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Grinding or popping noises
If you notice any of these, don’t attempt DIY repairs — these components store tremendous tension and can cause severe injuries. Call a trained technician.
8. Install a Smart Garage Door Opener for Extra Safety
Smart openers give you total control — and extra peace of mind.
They allow parents to:
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Check if the door is open
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Close it remotely
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Get alerts if the door is activated
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Lock out the keypad
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Review history logs to see when it was used
This stops older kids from sneaking outside unnoticed and prevents accidental openings.
9. Improve Lighting for Better Visibility
Good lighting helps kids avoid:
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Tools
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Bikes
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Debris
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Sharp objects
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Track areas
Add:
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Motion-activated LED garage lights
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Overhead strip lighting
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Lights on the opener itself
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Smart bulbs for timers and schedules
More visibility = more safety.
10. Create a Safe Storage Plan
Hazards can turn a garage into a dangerous place quickly.
Store these items high and locked:
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Power tools
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Lawn equipment
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Paints and chemicals
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Sharp objects
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Heavy items that can fall
Wall storage systems and overhead racks keep everything safe and out of reach.
Keeping Kids Safe Starts With a Safe Garage Door
A child-proofed garage door isn’t just a convenience — it’s a commitment to protecting your family every time you come and go.
At State Line Garage Doors, we offer:
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Safety inspections
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Sensor alignment
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Spring and cable checks
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Smart opener upgrades
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Child-safe emergency release conversions
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Weatherstripping and sealing for safer, cleaner garages
We proudly serve Lawrenceburg, Muscle Shoals, Spring Hill, Savannah, and every community within 60 miles.
If you want to ensure your garage door is safe for children — or you’ve noticed any issues — we’re here to help.