You know the moment when you’re watching your child race across the driveway, the family dog bounding beside them, and for a split-second you realise: what if the gate had been open?
At Perimeter Automation, we encounter families who want more than just a pretty entrance. They want peace of mind. They want assurance. They want a solution like an automatic gate, which means less worry and more living.
Contact us on 01474 559310 or email sales@perimeter-automation.co.uk to arrange a free consultation today.
With Perimeter Automation, we transform your driveway entrance into a safe zone for children and pets, a gate that works smart so you don't have to worry.
Why Safety Matters In Homes With Children And Pets
Families and pets bring joy, energy, and unpredictability into a home. That unpredictability means extra risk. Driveways, gates, vehicular access points, and yard boundaries become potential hazards.
Many standard gates rely on manual operation, depend on people remembering to close them, or don’t have built-in safety features for smaller, quicker users (like pets or toddlers). That’s where automatic gates objectively and measurably improve safety.
At Perimeter Automation, we are Gate Safe and DHF accredited, and our automation systems are installed with safety, durability and usability in mind.
How Automatic Gates Improve Safety: Key Mechanisms
Automatic gates do more than open and close. They incorporate several safety-enhancing features, and when professionally installed, these features work together to protect children, pets and all users of a property.
1. Controlled Access To The Driveway Entrance
One of the primary ways automatic gates improve safety is by controlling access. With a remote, keypad, intercom, or smartphone interface, you decide who enters and when. That slows down or blocks stray vehicles, stray pets or children from wandering into a hazardous zone.
At Perimeter Automation, we integrate the latest access-control systems, allowing you to grant access only after verifying the visitor.
2. Built-In Obstacle Detection And Safety Sensors
Children are fast. Pets even faster. An automated gate system must keep pace. Modern systems incorporate safety edges, photocells, and obstacle-detection sensors that prevent or reverse movement when an object is in the path. When gates are automated, these features are crucial. Our teams ensure installations comply with relevant safety regulations and standards.
3. Keeping Vehicles Separate From Pedestrian/Pet Zones
In many family properties, the driveway or gate serves both cars and kids/pets. An automatic gate can act as a physical barrier, reducing the possibility of a vehicle entering while a child or pet is nearby. Whether it’s a sliding gate, a swing gate, or a cantilever option, the right automation strategy makes that shared space safer.
4. Familiar Consistent Operation – Less Human Error
Manual gates rely on people remembering to lock, close, or check them. An automatic gate automates that step. Families with active children or pets don’t always have time to double-check that the gate is shut. Proper automation removes that human-error gap, meaning automatic gates improve safety by reducing the risk of oversight.
5. Enhanced Integration With Other Security Systems
At Perimeter Automation, we don’t just install gates; we provide comprehensive perimeter solutions, including CCTV and access control. The synergy between these systems means your gate is part of a wider protective ring. That ecosystem further strengthens how automatic gates improve safety, making potential hazards less likely to go undetected.
Choosing The Right Automatic Gate For Your Family Home
Making the correct choice ensures the highest level of safety. Here are the factors we evaluate during site surveys at Perimeter Automation.
1. Assessing Site Layout And Traffic Patterns
For example, is the driveway steep or uneven? (We might recommend a cantilever sliding option.) Is there heavy vehicle traffic or a high volume of pedestrian/pet crossings? You can see on our electric gates for driveway page that we have discussed tailoring gate types to site factors.
2. Choosing Gate Type With Safety In Mind
Swing, sliding, and cantilever each have their pros and cons. Families with children may favour gates that open slowly or offer higher visibility. Sliding gates may reduce the risk of a gate swinging into a child’s or pet’s path. We analyse these trade-offs.
3. Material, Finish And Visibility
Metal gates present substantial barriers, but we ensure appropriate spacing so you can still monitor external areas (important for children’s safety). Wooden gates can be charming, but must be safely automated. Our Portfolio showcases many such installations.
4. Regular Maintenance And Servicing
Even the best automatic gates require upkeep. Regular servicing ensures that sensors, motors, and safety edges function correctly. That’s why our servicing & maintenance highlights our 24/7 call-out system. Because when you’re safeguarding children and pets, there’s no room for downtime.
Why Choose Perimeter Automation For Your Family Home
At Perimeter Automation, we bring years of experience to every project, whether residential, commercial or school-based. Our Gate Safe accreditation, safety-first approach and bespoke service mean we focus squarely on how automatic gates improve safety for families like yours. We know children, pets, and driveways don’t stand still, and neither do we.
From the first free consultation through to installation, servicing and 24-hour call-outs, we’re committed to delivering a gate solution you can trust. Our work spans the South East and across the UK, and we welcome clients seeking high-quality automation for their homes.
Conclusion
If you’ve ever paused mid-morning to think, “I hope the gate is shut,” or watched your dog slip out while you rushed into the house, then it’s time to act. Let us show you how automatic gates enhance safety for your children and pets, and provide the peace of mind you deserve.
Contact us now on 01474 559310 or email sales@perimeter-automation.co.uk for your free, no-obligation consultation. Safe, stylish and innovative, your next chapter begins at the gate.
FAQs
Q1: Are automatic gates safe around children and pets?
Yes, when professionally installed with obstacle sensors and safety edges, they significantly reduce the risks associated with unsupervised driveway access.
Q2: Do automatic gates require special permissions for home installation?
In many cases, you can install without full planning consent, but it depends on the site and gate height. We’ll provide guidance during our free consultation, but you may need to contact your local planning office for permissions.
Q3: Can I retrofit an existing gate for automation?
Absolutely. We often upgrade existing gates with motor systems and safety equipment, making automation an effective option without complete replacement. Some gates may not be suitable, but we will always advise on the best value replacement solution where necessary.
Q4: What maintenance do automatic gates need?
An annual inspection of motors, sensors, safety edges, and controls is recommended. For households with active children/pets, we recommend servicing twice a year. The first year of servicing is included with any new gate installation; additional service plans are available after this period. We can also offer servicing contracts for gates installed by others if that is all you require.
Q5: How do I know which gate type suits my home?
We’ll visit your site, assess the driveway layout, pedestrian crossings, and vehicle movements, and then propose the best type of swing, sliding, or cantilever gate tailored to your family and pet safety needs. As for the style of gate – that’s up to you! We can help you choose from a wide range of materials, shapes and colours.