It’s home time, everyone’s scrambling to get their coats and bags. Doors swinging as kids run out to their waiting parents. Then suddenly, a slam and a scream that echoes down the corridors. Now, you’ve got an injured child, a panicked teacher, and a whole mess of chaos that could have easily been prevented.
Finger trap injuries are more common than you’d think, and door finger guards are the simplest way to stop them.
The fact you’re reading this probably means you care about protecting the people in your facility.
We do too.
So we’re arming you with everything you need to know about finger guards for doors and exactly which ones can best protect your facility. But first, let’s look at the basics.
Let’s start at the beginning. Door finger guards are safety covers that fit over the gap of the door's hinged side and protect against finger trap injuries in door openings. If you work in buildings with young children or vulnerable adults, finger guards are absolutely essential in preventing nasty accidents.
You may have already known that.
But what you may not know is that finger guards are not a one-size-fits-all solution (even if they claim to be). There’s a lot to unpack (and unhinge).
Ok, brace yourself. In the UK alone, over 30,000 children trap their fingers in doors every year.
1,500 of these injuries require surgery, and 600 result in amputations. Children with a broken finger are off school for at least six weeks. They miss out on education and socialisation, which puts them not only behind in school, but also in their friendships. These accidents cause trauma and damage the well-being of children and their caregivers.
The worst thing about this? They’re completely and utterly avoidable.
Take the story we shared at the beginning. With a finger guard in place, it would never have happened.
Finger guards for doors in schools, nurseries, leisure centres, hospitals, and local councils prevent these incidents. But it’s essential to get guards that do the job properly.
We know finger guards are good at safeguarding. After all the clue is in the name. But what exactly are the main benefits of having one? It’s more than just saving a few fingers. Finger guards for doors protect everyone by:
This one’s obvious, but still worth talking about. In high-traffic settings, accidents happen, and it’s not just the physical injury that matters. One hurriedly closed door can cause months of recovery setbacks and damage to mental health. Young children, who are the most susceptible to door-related injuries, are especially at risk. Finger guards aren’t just protecting fingers as their name suggests — they’re safeguarding the most vulnerable, providing a safer environment for everyone.
You’ll likely know all too well how crucial safety compliance is in a facility—finger guards make it easy. In places like schools, hospitals, and care homes, you’ve got enough compliance standards to think about. Door finger guards can help with health and safety regulations, giving you fewer headaches when inspectors come around.
Not only do accidents impact the people hurt, but they can also lead to injury claims. Installing door finger guards reduces this risk and protects businesses and local authorities from potential lawsuits, associated costs, and employee trauma. They provide peace of mind for you, your business, and your staff members.
So, you know you need to keep the people in your facility safe. You know you need door finger guards. But what makes the right finger door guard? What criteria should you be looking at?
There are some key points you need to keep in mind before you invest in this safety measure. These are:
When you google “Door Finger Guards” you’re probably met with a ton of options. So let’s look at the different types available, and their pros and cons:
Plastic may be okay for private homes, but in places like schools, hospitals, restaurants, and leisure centres, they typically split or break between six months and two years of regular use. And once they split, accidents happen and replacement costs mount up.
Rubber finger guards are more durable than plastic, but they have their own limitations. They are obvious to the eye, normally coming in bright colours, and they allow dust and grime in, meaning maintenance becomes a nightmare.
These guards hide the gap but unfortunately affect the opening force of the door (opening up the potential for more injuries) and are a costly compromise. They are also mostly made from plastic, which can crack and warp over time.
Aluminium finger guards are not only highly durable but also easy to clean. We recommend guards made from aluminium, as they will last the door’s lifetime in high-traffic environments.
Sure, plastic guards are initially cheaper but imagine paying for the same product every year or so. Taken over the typical 25-year lifespan of a school, replacing them costs between £500 and £1,000 per door, which actually makes plastic the most expensive option. Finger door guards should last your door’s lifetime and make upkeep simpler, not harder.
It’s important to choose a guard that is flexible when it comes to installation. What guard you choose will depend on whether you’re fitting out your new builds or upgrading your existing hinged doors. You need flexibility, so we have a door finger guard to suit every installation need.
We believe that changing people’s lives for the better goes beyond just “function”. No matter whether you’re in a clinical environment or an educational one, the look of your door guards can make a huge impact. Plastic guards look cheap and unsightly, while rubber sticks out like a sore thumb. Simplicity is often the best. Our aluminium guards create a perfect curve on a timber door edge to discreetly blend with any aesthetic. Plus, they integrate into different architectural styles, making them ideal for schools, hospitals, and leisure centres.
Over the years, we’ve listened to feedback from architects, specifiers, head teachers, contractors, and project managers about door finger guards. From this, we’ve developed our range of durable guards to set the industry standards for finger protection in the Education sector. With over 100,000 finger guards sold, Safehinge Primera is the market leader, giving architects the confidence to specify our solutions with trust and peace of mind.
We offer three types of door finger guards to suit all projects and budgets. Whether you’re looking to install finger guards on new or existing doors will determine the type you need.
Integral finger guards can only be used at the point of door and frame manufacture, making them ideal for new build or major refurbishment projects.
Integral finger guard (Alumax)
Doors already in place? These are the options for you. Retrofit finger guards can also be more budget-friendly than integral solutions without compromising on safety or durability.
Clever finger-ejecting guard (Alumini)
Extreme duty finger guard (Alufast)
Think of an open indoor play area. Children spend time with their parents and move around the space. Sunlight streams in through the windows and through them you can see expansive green areas speckled with autumn trees.
This is Noah’s Ark Children's Hospice - the first children's hospice building in North and Central London. Known locally as ‘The Ark’, it aims to provide support and a great quality of life to residents and their families.
When you imagine this place, your mind may not immediately jump to door finger guards…
But the right ones have made all the difference here. To fit into the vision of an inclusive, caring and welcoming facility, we worked with partner Door View to provide 75 Integral Finger Guards. These were not only to safeguard some of the most vulnerable children in the hospice, but to also perfectly align with the vision of this place.
We saw it as more than just a safety measure. It’s a chance to make the lives of children and their families better.
We know how much you care about your facility and the people within it. You wouldn’t be reading this if you didn’t!
Just as you care, we care.
Finding the right door finger guard for you is essential. And when you’re looking for the correct ones, you’re often met with too many options and too much information. We’re hoping we’ve broken down some of the most important info for you and your team. But in case you need any more support we’re here to help. If you have burning questions, get in touch with us and we will answer them.
Not sure where to start with your door finger guard search?
Our fingerguard brochure is packed with product specifications, case studies, and testimonials. You can also contact the team to discuss your needs.