Walk into any nursery and you will find a happy and active space. But it only takes a split second for that happiness and activity to turn into an emergency. For example, when a small hand gets caught in the hinge side of a closing door.
This is why nurseries need door hinge finger guards. In this blog, we will explain why young children are especially at risk and how door hinge guards can prevent painful finger trap injuries.
Door hinges can be dangerous.
Children under five are always curious and touch everything around them, including doors. The risk is that every nursery door has a hinge side that can trap little fingers in an instant.
Some nurseries assume that slow-close or soft-close doors will solve the problem. But even those doors can leave a gap on the hinge side. That gap is just wide enough for a small finger to slip into. Unless that gap is covered, the risk of injury remains.
Installing door hinge finger guards can prevent an avoidable medical emergency and all the consequences of a finger trap injury. These guards can be easily fitted to most doors.
What should you look for in a door finger guard?
A good finger guard should cover the entire length of the door hinge from top to bottom. Anything less leaves a gap and a gap is all it takes for a child’s fingers to get caught.
In a nursery, doors are opened and closed all day. So the guard needs to be durable enough to handle constant use without tearing or coming loose. It should also fit all types of doors, including wooden, metal, glass, even fire doors.
Install a door hinge guard before a child gets injured
If you own or manage a nursery, check your doors. Can a small hand reach the hinge side as the door closes? If yes, you should remove that risk before a child gets hurt.
At Safety Assured Ltd, we offer free door safety surveys and nationwide installation by certified specialists. We will help you choose the right guard for each door and make sure it is fitted properly.