Garage Fire Safety Tips

Keep common sense in mind

When it comes to garage fires, many of them can be prevented in the same way that you would prevent fires that start in any other area of your home. Here are some common-sense ways to prevent fires from Closet Designs and More include making sure that you have a fire extinguisher on hand, being careful with wood-burning stoves and not overloading circuits, whether in the house or in the garage.

Keep combustibles stored safely

The garage is typically the area where the most hazardous fluids are kept. For example, gasoline is extremely flammable and can put off a vapor that ignites at any temperature, if a flame source is in the area. When you are handling flammable liquids or gases, be sure to keep the garage door open for good ventilation. Also, store these in a metal cabinet, preferably away from where you are working with any tools that might give off a spark.

Keep the floor clean

When you’re working in your garage, you might have wood scraps, paper, plastic wrappings, sawdust and a wide range of other debris that could build up on the floor. These are all a fire hazard waiting to happen if you are using a soldering iron, a saw that might spark or anything else that can cause a flame. Dispose of your litter immediately as you work. Keep a garbage can and a recycling bin nearby, and place items in these receptacles instead of letting them sit on the floor. When you’re done working for the day, sweep in order to remove sawdust and other small debris.

Dispose of dirty rags appropriately

Spontaneous combustion is not a fairy tale; it can happen right in your garage! If you get oils, cleaners or gasoline on your rags and you simply crumple them up and let them sit there, they could start a fire even with no heat source nearby. If you have a sink in your garage, rinse such rags well and lay them flat to dry before disposing of them. If you don’t have a sink, use your outdoor hose, if possible. Place the dry rags in a metal bucket with a lid until you can dispose of them. (Never, ever try to launder rags that have anything flammable on them!)

If you should have a fire, act quickly

First, make sure that your fire extinguisher is handy. This means storing it on the wall where you can get to it in an emergency. Pull the pin and point the extinguisher at the flames, sweeping from side to side. If you are not sure that you can put out the fire, get out of the garage and get your family out of the house before calling your local emergency number. Remember that a fire can engulf your home in mere minutes, so time is of the essence.