Tips For Preventing A Garage Fire

For many homeowners, a garage is much more than just a place to park their cars. Most people take advantage of the space as a storage room, a workshop, or a home gym. Therefore, many items like car supplies, recreational equipment, kids’ toys, cleaning products, paints, camping gear, patio furniture, vehicle fluids, appliances, gardening tools, and bicycles are likely to be present in your garage. With your garage serving multiple purposes, this space is susceptible to fires.

Garage fires can be extremely destructive, as they can raze your garage to the ground, spread to other parts of your home, and even cause death.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, there are about 6,600 garage fires in the U.S. every year, resulting in 30 deaths, 400 injuries, and substantial property losses. The key to preventing garage fires is understanding the common causes of garage fires and taking precautionary measures to prevent them. 

In this article, we will look at some of the important safety tips to prevent garage fires.

Clean The Clutter

Often garages are used to store a wide range of items including storage boxes, car supplies, camping gear, DIY tools, containers, garbage bins, and many other items that can easily catch fire. That’s why it’s advisable to keep your garage decluttered and organized, instead of leaving them strewn across the garage.

Do Not Store Flammable Materials in Your Garage

Flammable materials, such as paints, brake fluid, turpentine, oil-based cleaning products, propane, gas, and aerosol should be stored outside the garage, preferably in a shed. If you must store flammable materials in your garage, ensure they are properly sealed and place them away from appliances that generate heat.

Install a Heat Alarm in Your Garage

Instead of a smoke detector, ensure you install a heat alarm in your garage that will sound when there’s an increase in temperature caused by a fire. Make sure your heat alarm is rated to respond to 79.4℃ - 121.1℃, alerting you when it detects dangerously high temperatures. You should have your heat alarm inspected once a month to ensure it’s in perfect working order.

Follow Guidelines for Electrical Safety

Electrical malfunction is one of the leading causes of garage fires. So it’s important to practice proper electrical safety habits to reduce the risk of garage fires. You should avoid overloading electrical outlets and avoid using extension cords in your garage as they can overheat and cause a fire. Besides, it’s a good idea to install GFCI circuit breakers in your garage to prevent overheating.

Install A Garage Door with Fireproof Features

You can prevent garage fires by installing a garage door with modern fire-proof features such as heat-resistant materials, protective resin coating, a fire-resistant core, and an automatic closing feature. If it’s time to update your garage door, contact an experienced garage door company to help you out.

Get in Touch with Bob’s Advance Garage Doors for All of Your Garage Door Needs

Whether you’re in need of garage door replacement, garage door installation, or garage door repair, you can rely on Bob’s Advance Garage Doors for reliable and cost-effective services.