Most baby-proofing guides focus on the kitchen, bathroom, and nursery. Fair enough — that's where babies spend most of their time. But the garage? It's often completely overlooked. And it's arguably the most hazardous space in your home.
Think about what's in there: power tools, chemicals, heavy objects on shelves, sharp edges, a car that could be started, a concrete floor with zero forgiveness. If your baby can reach the garage, you've got a problem.
The Door is Your First Line of Defense
The simplest fix is also the most important: keep the door between your house and the garage locked. A deadbolt or child-proof door handle cover works. If your baby can reach the doorknob, they can reach the garage.
Auto-closing hinges are another smart addition. The door swings shut on its own, so even when you forget (and you will forget), it closes behind you.
The garage door itself is another concern. Modern garage doors have auto-reverse sensors at the bottom. Test yours monthly by placing a roll of paper towels in the door's path. If it doesn't reverse immediately, get it serviced. Older doors without this feature should be replaced.
Chemicals and Fluids
Antifreeze is the classic example. It tastes sweet to animals and kids, and it's extremely toxic. But it's not the only chemical sitting on your garage floor or shelf. Motor oil, brake fluid, pesticides, herbicides, paint thinner, pool chemicals — the garage is basically a chemistry lab.
Move all chemicals to high shelves or locked cabinets. Closed containers aren't enough — a determined toddler can unscrew caps, pop open snap lids, and squeeze bottles. If it's toxic, it needs to be physically out of reach or behind a lock.
Tools and Sharp Objects
Hand tools, power tools, nails, screws, utility knives, saw blades. All of these live in garages, often in open toolboxes or hanging on pegboards at kid height.
Lock your toolbox. If you use a pegboard, mount it high enough that nothing is reachable. Power tools should be unplugged and stored in locked cabinets when not in use. Remove batteries from cordless tools.
Heavy Objects and Shelving
Garage shelving is notorious for being overloaded and unsecured. A metal shelf unit stacked with paint cans and toolboxes can tip forward if a toddler tries to climb it. Anchor shelving to the wall with anti-tip brackets, the same way you would a bookshelf inside the house.
Lawnmowers, bicycles, ladders, and other heavy equipment should be stored where they can't topple onto a child. A bike falling on an adult is annoying. A bike falling on a 15-month-old can cause serious injury.
The car
Kids have died in hot cars in garages. Even when the car isn't running, a closed garage with a parked car can reach dangerous temperatures. Keep your car locked when it's in the garage so kids can't climb in and get trapped.
Also: never leave a car running in an attached garage. Carbon monoxide buildup can reach lethal levels in minutes, and the gas seeps into the house through shared walls and doorways.
Button Stations
The button for your garage door opener, and sometimes for lights or other systems, are often mounted at adult height. But wall-mounted buttons for the garage door can be reached by a kid standing on a stool or a box. Consider a flip-up cover or moving the button higher.
The garage doesn't have to be off-limits forever. But until your kid is old enough to understand what's dangerous in there, treat it like the hazard zone it is.