Garage and Laundry Room Safety for Children

Garages and laundry rooms are often overlooked when childproofing, yet they contain some of the most dangerous hazards in any home. Chemicals, heavy equipment, sharp tools, and large appliances all pose serious risks to curious children. These utility spaces require careful attention to keep your family safe.

Garage Hazards: An Overview Safe Kids

Garages are designed for cars and storage, not children. They typically contain concentrated dangers that don't exist elsewhere in the home.

Common garage hazards:

• Toxic chemicals (antifreeze, pesticides, gasoline, paint)
• Sharp and heavy tools
• Lawn equipment and power tools
• Vehicles and the dangers of carbon monoxide
• Heavy items stored on shelves
• Hot surfaces (car engines, grills)
• Automatic garage door mechanisms

Why garages are particularly dangerous:

• Children view them as play areas
• Adults often leave items unsecured
• Many hazardous items at child level
• Less supervision than indoor spaces
• Chemicals may not be in locked cabinets

Chemical and Toxic Substance Safety Poison Control

Garages often house the most toxic substances in a home.

Dangerous chemicals commonly stored in garages:

• Antifreeze (sweet taste appeals to children and pets)
• Gasoline and motor oil
• Pesticides and herbicides
• Fertilizers
• Pool chemicals
• Paints and solvents
• Windshield washer fluid
• Rat and mouse poison

Safe storage practices:

• Store ALL chemicals in locked cabinets or on high shelves
• Keep products in original labeled containers
• Never transfer chemicals to food or drink containers
• Dispose of old or unused chemicals properly
• Keep garage door to house locked

Emergency preparation:

• Post Poison Control number: 1-800-222-1222
• Know location of all toxic substances
• Teach children that garage chemicals are dangerous

Tool and Equipment Safety AAP

Power tools and lawn equipment can cause severe injuries.

Tool storage:

• Lock tools in cabinets or toolboxes
• Hang sharp tools out of reach
• Store power tools unplugged with safety guards in place
• Keep lawn mowers and trimmers in locked areas
• Store nails, screws, and small parts in closed containers

Power tool safety:

• Unplug all tools when not in use
• Store keys to riding mowers separately
• Remove spark plugs from lawn equipment for storage
• Never let children operate power equipment
• Keep children inside when using power tools

Sharp object awareness:

• Box cutters, utility knives should be locked away
• Secure saws, chisels, and other sharp tools
• Be aware of sharp edges on workbenches and shelving

Vehicle Safety in the Garage Safe Kids

Vehicles create unique dangers in garage spaces.

Carbon monoxide prevention:

• Never warm up or run vehicles in closed garage
• Install CO detectors in garage and adjacent rooms
• Ensure good ventilation if working on vehicles
• Keep door to house closed when garage door opens

Back-over prevention:

• Always walk around vehicle before backing up
• Know where children are before starting car
• Consider backup cameras and sensors
• Teach children that parking areas are not play areas
• Never leave children unattended near vehicles

Hot surfaces:

• Car engines, exhaust pipes can cause burns
• Wait for vehicles to cool before allowing children near
• Be aware of hot surfaces on grills and smokers

Preventing trapped children:

• Never leave children alone in vehicles
• Check vehicles and trunks before closing
• Teach children that cars are not hiding places
• Keep vehicle doors locked

Garage Door Safety CPSC

Automatic garage doors can cause serious injuries or death.

Garage door dangers:

• Doors weigh hundreds of pounds
• Can crush children caught underneath
• Children can get fingers caught in sections
• Remotes are tempting "toys"

Safety features:

• Auto-reverse mechanism (test monthly)
• Photo-eye sensors that stop door if beam broken
• Emergency release handle
• Wall-mounted controls out of child reach

Testing auto-reverse:

• Place a 2x4 flat on the ground under door
• Close the door
• Door should reverse upon touching the board
• If not, have door serviced immediately

Garage door safety rules:

• Keep remotes away from children
• Mount wall controls at least 5 feet high
• Teach children door is not a toy
• Watch door close completely before walking away
• Never let children race under closing door

Laundry Room Hazards AAP

Laundry rooms contain appliances, chemicals, and other dangers.

Laundry detergent and pods:

• Laundry pods are extremely dangerous to children
• Brightly colored pods look like candy
• Can cause chemical burns, breathing problems, even death
• Store ALL detergents in locked cabinets
• Buy traditional detergent if children are in home

Other laundry chemicals:

• Fabric softeners
• Stain removers
• Bleach
• Dryer sheets (can be choking hazard)

Proper storage:

• High shelves or locked cabinets for all products
• Never leave products on machines or counters
• Return to secure storage immediately after use

Washer and Dryer Safety CPSC

Large appliances pose entrapment and burn risks.

Entrapment dangers:

• Children can climb into front-loading machines
• Closing the door can trap them inside
• Dryers are especially dangerous due to heat

Safety measures:

• Keep washer and dryer doors closed when not in use
• Consider appliance locks
• Supervise children in laundry area
• Teach children that appliances are not for play

Burn prevention:

• Dryer drums get very hot
• Keep children away from open dryers
• Check clothes temperature before handing to children

Other washer/dryer safety:

• Don't overload machines (fire risk)
• Clean dryer lint trap regularly (fire prevention)
• Ensure proper ventilation

Creating Safe Spaces Safe Kids

Making garages and laundry rooms safer requires planning.

Garage safety improvements:

• Install locks on all cabinets and tool storage
• Add a lock to the door connecting garage to house
• Use childproof door knob covers
• Install proper lighting
• Keep floors clear of tripping hazards
• Anchor shelving to walls

Laundry room improvements:

• Install high shelves for chemical storage
• Add cabinet locks
• Keep door to laundry room closed
• Use door knob covers
• Ensure floor is not slippery

Supervision and Access Control

Limiting access:

• Keep garage and laundry room doors closed and locked
• Use baby gates to block access
• Install door alarms
• Never leave children unattended in these areas

Teaching safety:

• Explain dangers in age-appropriate terms
• Make these "ask first" areas
• Demonstrate what's dangerous
• Praise safe behavior

Emergency Preparedness

If poisoning occurs:

• Call Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
• Don't induce vomiting unless instructed
• Have product information available

If trapped in appliance:

• Call 911 immediately
• Try to open door
• If dryer, unplug if possible

For burns or injuries:

• Cool burns with cool water
• Apply pressure to cuts
• Seek medical attention for significant injuries

Checklist for Safety

Garage safety checklist:

• [ ] All chemicals locked up
• [ ] Tools secured
• [ ] Garage door auto-reverse tested
• [ ] CO detector installed
• [ ] Access to house secured
• [ ] Heavy items secured on shelves

Laundry room safety checklist:

• [ ] Detergent pods locked away
• [ ] All chemicals stored high
• [ ] Washer/dryer doors kept closed
• [ ] Lint trap cleaned regularly
• [ ] Door to room secured

The Bottom Line

Garages and laundry rooms require the same attention to childproofing as any room in your home—perhaps more, given the concentrated hazards. Lock up chemicals, secure tools, install safety features on garage doors, and keep laundry products out of reach. Most importantly, limit your child's access to these spaces and always supervise when they must be there.

Clara is here to help you create a safer home, including those often-forgotten utility spaces!