A Checklist For Preventing Garage Fires

5 January 2017
Categories: , Blog

Garage fires can be a frightening thing, especially if you aren't immediately aware that your self-contained garage is on fire. Here are some steps that you can take to ensure that you and your family are safe from garage fires.

Store Chemicals Safely

Paint, gasoline, and other flammable chemicals are some of the common items stored in the garage. If you have these items on hand, consider getting a metal box to store flammable items in. This way, you can control spills and insulate them from heat sources.

Control Your Workspace

If your garage doubles as a workspace, make sure that you control any items that could be fuel for a fire. If your work involves sawdust, be sure to clean it up after every work session since it could catch fire when exposed to a spark. If you use hazardous chemicals such as varnishes, clean them up with a rag and make sure the rag is placed away from heat sources. And always be sure to air out the garage of any chemicals in the air. Finally, ensure that tools have properly cooled down before you store them, and unplug any that you're not using.

Control Heat Sources

Speaking of heat sources, your space heater or other garage heating source needs to be monitored. Have a radius around the heater where no materials are stored. Place your flammables on the opposite side of the room from your heat source.

Check Garage Door Safety

Another part to be aware of when talking about fire safety is your garage door itself. There are many electrical components in the door that may go haywire and cause a fire. You can often tell when this is about to happen. Your garage door opener might feel hot to the touch for no reason. Or your garage door might start to behave erratically. In either case, call a garage door repair company like Garage Doors Of Naples Inc to see what the problem is and rule out any safety hazards.

Insulate Your Garage

The truth is that your garage probably is going to contain many sources of fire hazards, so it's in your best interest to have your garage insulated with a firewall so that fires can't spread to the rest of your home. A fire suppression specialist may advise you to get a fire door and insulated walls for any sides of your garage that touch the rest of your home.

About Me

The day I became a first-time homeowner was one of the happiest ones of my life. Since this joyous occasion, I’ve been searching for unique ways to enhance the curb appeal of my place. Do you want people to be impressed when they pass by your home? Consider installing a new garage door. Installing a wood garage door can instantly give the exterior of your home the wow factor. Garage doors constructed from cedar and redwood are beautiful options. Do you like the look of wood, but want a garage door that is easier to maintain? Think about shopping for a composite wood door. On this blog, I hope you will discover the trendiest types of garage doors available today.