Every year, thousands of children in the UK end up in A&E because their fingers get caught in a door. It can happen in a split second and it can be serious.
The hinge side of the door is the most dangerous part. It can close like a pair of scissors and trap tiny fingers before anyone has time to react. The good news is that a simple door safety audit can stop these injuries before they happen.
What makes school doors a risk for children’s fingers?
Schools have a clear duty to keep children safe. A door that looks harmless can actually cause deep cuts, broken bones or even fingertip loss if a child’s hand gets trapped in the hinge side.
Many schools already conduct risk assessments but they overlook the hinge area. That is where most accidents occur. Conducting a thorough door audit can identify those hidden risks and give schools an opportunity to address them before anyone is injured.
Installing finger guards for school doors is the next step but it all starts with knowing which doors are unsafe.
How to audit doors?
The first thing to do is walk around your school and inspect every door. Pay special attention to the ones that children use most like classroom doors, toilet doors, corridor doors and any doors near play areas. These are the doors that open and close all day long when small children are nearby.
Next, check the hinge side of each door. Can you see a gap when the door starts to close? Could a small finger fit inside it? If the answer is yes, that door could cause a serious injury. Even soft-close doors can be risky because the hinge gap remains.
Watch how people use the doors during the school day. Are children running in and out of classrooms? Do doors slam shut or swing freely? Is a finger guard already fitted? Sometimes, schools have door finger guards installed but they have become loose or damaged over time. If a guard is not secure, it is as bad as not having one at all.
Once you have checked each door, make a simple list of which ones are safe and which ones need attention. Doors used by younger children should be your top priority because they are more likely to put their hands where they shouldn’t.
What’s next once you find risky doors?
When you have found a door that could trap fingers, fix it immediately. Covering the hinge gap is one of the easiest and most effective things you can do. Choose door finger guards that are strong enough for daily use and fit the full length of the door. They should stay in place even with constant opening and closing.
Make sure your staff know how to spot unsafe doors in the future too. Regular checks should be part of your school’s safety routine. A quick look now and then can stop an accident later.
Finger trap injuries are painful but completely preventable. By auditing your doors and fitting the right safety products, you are protecting children and giving parents peace of mind.
If your audit shows doors that need better protection, Safety Assured Ltd can help. We offer free door safety surveys and nationwide installation of high-quality finger guards for school doors.