Make Your Garage Fire-Safe

6/24/2020 (Permalink)

A garage is a common place for a fire to start. Take these precautions to prevent one at your home.

The second most common location of house fires (after the kitchen) is the garage. Why do these structures pose such a fire hazard? Mostly it’s because of what people store in garages, such as gas, oil and oily rags—as well as cars, trucks, mowers and other gas- and oil-powered vehicles. And there’s more:

• Water heaters, boilers and car batteries, which can create sparks that may ignite fumes or fluids.
• Oil and gasoline that has dripped from cars, which may eventually ignite or spread a fire.
• Flammable liquids, such as gasoline, motor oil, brake fluid, paint, varnish, paint thinner and lighter fluid.
• Flammable clutter, such as newspapers, cardboard boxes and paper waste.

You can reduce the risk of garage fire damage by taking these steps:

• Store flammable liquids in small amounts and far away from sources of heat, like a space heater.
• Store flammable materials, such as fuels, fluids or cleaners, away from other flammables and in clearly labeled, self-closing containers.
• Clear out clutter, including loose papers, matches, oily rags and other potentially flammable items.
• Store propane tanks outside, not in your garage.
• Don’t overload the circuit box when using drills and other electrical devices in your garage. Unplug every electrical device after use. Tape down all cords and wires so they are not twisted or accidentally yanked.
• Use light bulbs with the proper wattage, and do not overload electrical outlets.
• Keep a working fire extinguisher in the garage.

Because the garage is usually a small, enclosed space, if a fire does start it can engulf the entire area quickly—and then jump to the rest of your home. Help stop the spread of a garage fire by following this advice:

• The garage’s walls and ceiling should be fire-rated (call a home inspector to be sure). 
• The door between the garage and living space should be self-closing. If it has a window, it should be fire-rated. Do not install a pet door in the door.
• Seal the joints and open spaces around the door to prevent fumes from entering the living area.
• If the garage allows access to the attic, make sure a hatch covers this access.

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

We’re Here to Help

After a fire, the team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield uses specialized fire restoration training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home to pre-fire condition. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

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SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how you can protect your home and business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

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When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791