Garage Safety

6/23/2020 (Permalink)

A small issue in the Garage can turn into a large issue to your home quickly.

Keep your Garage Safe!

Fire can start just about anywhere in your home. Many homeowners overlook the Garage area for fire prevention. We all do it. -“Just put it in the Garaged”. That phrase is uttered more often then we realize. There are a few key things you can watch out for.

1: Electrical Issues

Electrical fires are so common. They can be from malfunctions in the equipment, faulty devices using an outlet, etc. Keep track of all of your wiring-keep it used safely. Don’t leave things plugged in that don’t need to be plugged in. Avoid long term use of extension cords. And if you have pets or who knows what gets into garages, make sure cords are not chewed on.

2: Flammable Liquids

Garages tend to be the catch all. All the paint, finishers and other flammable liquids are potential fire hazards. Storing these liquids properly is going to prevent them from becoming a dangerous situation. Follow manufacturer guidelines for storage and keep them in a shed if possible. This goes for your propane tanks as well-keep them stored as a flammable liquid.  

3: Clutter

Clutter can be harmful anywhere. It can cause small fires to turn into larger quickly when there is clutter around. This is also true for a garage. Keep your storage areas including your garage properly maintained and clean to avoid any additional fire issues.

 The Key is Prevention

Garage fires tend to get out of hand very quickly. To avoid a disastrous fire, there are a few things that can be done to fireproof your garage or at least help a fire from getting out of hand. Keep a fire extinguisher in or near your garage. Install a fire alarm in your garage.

Get a shed on your property where you can keep propane tanks and other flammable materials. If you cannot have a shed, find metal storage for the garage. Keeping your garage clean, organized, and free of frayed and exposed wires will help you avoid fire and keep any potential fires from getting out of hand.

Take some simple measures to avoid having a disaster in your garage and your house.

If you experience fire damage, call the fire restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Bloomington/Pontiac. 309-827-7500