Every parent eventually comes to understand one thing about the little ones: Create one safe place for them to play, and they will eventually find their way to some other danger. It's magnetic, or instinctive, or something.
Case in point: Awhile back I posted this list of garage safety tips. It's a good list, prepared by a responsible bunch of folks.
But it did not cover the situation that almost cost a four-year-old boy his life a few days ago in Colorado. Seems this lad was next to the garage door when his mother pushed the "open" button. A piece of metal at the bottom of the door hooked his shirt, and the boy started going up with the door. Had his mother not grabbed him in time, he would have been crushed against the garage ceiling.
But, fortunately, she did grab him in time. Good job, Mom. I doubt very much that she will ever again open or close a garage door without first doing a full visual exam of the surroundings. Had Mom not been in the garage, however, and if it had been a playmate who triggered the opener, it may well have led to a very different outcome.
Thing is, you just never know where danger might be hiding, and garages are just full of hidden dangers. Garages make great playrooms, but garage door openers are really lousy, if inviting, toys.
Photo © Rubbermaid Products @ flickr/Creative Commons
Comments