If you walk through a primary school during a busy part of the day, you will notice how much movement there is. Kids enter and exit classrooms, and staff open and close doors all day. It is easy to forget that all those doors can be a risk, especially for small fingers.
It might not sound like a big safety problem at first. But if you have ever seen a child get their fingers caught in a door hinge, you know that it can result in a painful and serious injury. That's why finger guards for doors in schools have become such an important addition to classrooms and corridors. They are easy to install, barely noticeable, and prevent painful trapping accidents.
Here's your quick guide to installing finger guards on your school doors:
Before you install anything, look at the door you have. Most indoor doors (wood, metal, or even the heavier fire doors) are usually fine for installing finger guards. But if the door is outside and opens outward, the job can get a little more complicated. Those doors can get wet in the rain, and in that case, the guard might not last as long.
Once you know if the door is suitable, clean the hinge side. Use a damp cloth and wipe down the surface where the guard will be installed. This step only takes a minute, but if the surface is dirty, the guard might not stick well or could shift out of place over time.
Hold the finger guard to the hinge side of the door. You will see where the gap is when the door opens, and that is what you are covering. Most guards come with screws and have pre-marked holes. Many don't even need drilling. Just line it up, screw it in, and open and close the door a few times to check that it moves the way it should.
If you have different door sizes, that is okay too. Many guards can be trimmed or joined together for the right fit. Once the guard is installed, the door will work like before, but now the dangerous gap is sealed.
Once finger guards for doors are installed, you will probably stop noticing them. And that is a good thing. They are still saving kids from getting finger injuries. They also help schools stay in line with safety regulations. Some even come with long warranties, which can give you more confidence in your purchase.
Finger guards don't stand out, and that is the point. They are small, but they prevent painful finger trapping injuries. They are easy to install and can protect dozens of children every single day.
Door finger guards should already be standard in every school. But until that happens, it is up to people like you to make it happen. So if you want to improve your school safety, Safety Assured Ltd. has a range of finger guards that schools across the UK trust. Check out their range of door safety products today.