Last Updated: July 2026

If they aren’t installed and used correctly, automated gates can cause serious accidents for kids and pets. 

Automated gates work great for the security of your house, but what about the safety of your family members?

There’s no need to be alarmed, but it’s important to be aware of the risks.

At Brisbane Automatic Gates, we pride ourselves in delivering safe and effective gate automation for your home or business. In this article, we describe how automatic gates work and provide valuable advice regarding safe automatic gates – that is, on how to keep your kids and pets safe around them.

How do automated gates work?

• Auto gates are made for convenience and security, with many features already in place or available as additions for safety.
• An electric gate works with an electric engine, and it is opened and shut through an electric-powered system (electric engine) that takes a shot at an AC or DC power source.
• This source is associated with a gearbox associated with the gate itself, which aids in the opening and closing of the gate.
• This naturally empowers you to open and close the gate with no manual activity.
• An electric gate opener makes the gate open and close when receiving an electric signal.
• This signal can be made by a remote control, a keypad or a sensor gadget that is installed on it.

How does a remote control work to open and close the gate?

The most well-known strategy for opening and closing automated gates is with a small handheld gadget. This may be called a transmitter, remote control, remote gate opener, gate remote or remote dandy.

Remotes have several channels, and the number of catches on the gate generally relates to the number of channels the remote has. This also refers to the number of frameworks it can work with. For instance, a two-channel remote can give the sign to two discrete gadgets or activities.

Generally, pressing a catch will advise programmed gates to completely open or close, contingent upon their status when the catch is pressed. At the point when the applicable catch is pressed, the fob sends a signal to a recipient associated with the gate engine controls.

What are the risks of automatic gates?

Risk of collision

During opening and shutting, the gates could crash into an individual, vehicle, creature, or other object. The danger of collision varies depending on how the gates are directed to move, and the sort and stature of the gate, for example, if it has a strong boarded or open railing. It’s also important to consider your family and guests to the property. Small children, pets, or the elderly may not be able to respond to a moving gate quickly enough to move out of the way.

Photocells and other types of sensors work here to halt movement if an object is detected in the gate’s path.

Risk of getting stuck on a conveyor belt

During the opening and shutting stage, particularly with a short sliding gate with finials, there is a danger of an individual’s apparel getting caught on the gate. They then may be hauled by the gate as though they were on a conveyor belt. The likelihood of this happening becomes more prominent if the gate is introduced at the limit of the property and the open space.

Automatic gates prevent dragging or entrapment primarily through obstacle detection sensors, pressure-sensitive safety edges, and motor force limiters.

Risk of being crushed

The potential for crushing can be to vehicles, individuals, pets, or different articles. It can emerge from a few places in any single establishment. For example, swing gates present the potential for crushing between the gate and posts at the pivots, between the underside of the gates, and the street surface.

On the off chance that the gates open against a strong surface (for example, a fence or a block divider), there is a possibility of crushing if the space between the gate and the strong object is insufficient.

To mitigate this, most gates include anti-crush technology. This is an auto-reverse mechanism built into the motor that forces the gate open if it bumps into an object.

What systems can be added for automatic gate safety?

A moving gate can be perilous on the off chance that it isn’t kept from coming into contact with anybody or anything.

Better safety can frequently be accomplished by physically obstructing the dangerous regions of the gate. A case of this can be found with open-boarded gates that slide along railings. Here, it is conceivable to place an appendage through the holes in the gate as it goes before the railings. Wirework that keeps appendages from being pushed through any holes speaks to a physical square to the threat.

Additionally, electronic wellbeing measures work by incorporating infrared photocells. These work two by two, with one producing an imperceptible light emission onto the other. In the event that the infrared bar is broken, a signal is sent to the gate controls to end activity.

Setting these photocells crosswise over passageways to potentially perilous territories stops the gates when anybody enters.

You can also apply elastic security edges to the main edges of moving gates. These are intended to stop and turn around the gates when the security edge comes into contact with anything. You can learn more about them on Wikipedia.

Tips for safe automatic gates 

• Children and adults should be advised to stay away from the gates when they are in function.
• A buzzer or any indicator should be used to show the gate movement when it is about to happen.
• The gates’ force should be limited, such that it cannot create a serious incident.
• An emergency button should be available, in case of any mishaps, to reverse or open the gates immediately.

Contact BAGS

Please contact us if you would like further information about the best and safest gates for your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to let kids operate an automatic gate?

While it’s good to teach them how the gate works, it’s best not to let them use it on their own. Keep remotes out of their reach. Also, don’t allow children or pets to play near automated gates.

How often should I test the gate?
To make sure all the security features are working, test the safety sensors and auto-reverse functions every six months. Components can wear out and require professional checks.

What safety standards should I check to make sure the gate is safe?
Look for compliance certifications on your motor. If it is an existing gate, research the brand and give all features a good check. For a new gate installation, make sure to work with trusted experts like BAGS so it is built safely.