Keeping The Garage Safe

If the garage at your home contains everything except your car, you are not alone. Nearly one-fourth of homeowners admit that their garage is so cluttered that they cannot fit even one car into it. Even owners of a clean garage often use it in a dangerous manner. You need to treat your garage with respect so as to avoid several harmful situations. 

Fire Hazards

The garage, like the basement, often ends up as the repository for anything that doesn't fit inside the main house. Often items such as paint, insecticides, and gasoline are stored unsafely, posing a fire hazard. Any item that has reached its expiration date needs to be disposed of according to the label recommendations. Other flammable substances should be stored in their original containers in a well-ventilated area, preferably in a space unreachable by children. You should also rid the garage of oily rags, old boxes, and discarded papers to reduce the likelihood of a fire. You need to purchase a fire extinguisher specifically for the garage, preferably a class B/C because it can handle fires started by flammable liquids, electrical equipment, and grease. 

Carbon Monoxide

You know better than to run your car in a closed garage, and yet many people do just that when they 'warm up" their vehicles in the wintertime before leaving for work.  Other people will barbecue in their garages when the weather is bad. These dangerous practices can lead to a deadly carbon monoxide buildup that can poison your garage and your home. Breathing this gas can kill you in a matter of minutes, even if the garage door is open. Experts recommend that you have a carbon monoxide detector in the garage and near any sleeping areas in your home to alert you when levels become high.

A Florida man has invented another helpful aid, a garage door that will automatically open when the carbon monoxide level has reached 150 parts per million (ppm). The door can also be connected to an alarm system that notifies emergency personnel that a potential problem exists. 

The garage doesn't need to be a dangerous place if you exercise caution. Keep flammable materials in a safe, well-ventilated area and be aware of carbon monoxide dangers. Clean up the papers, boxes, and rags. Remember, a complete reorganization of your garage will not only make if safer but will provide you with more space for your vehicles. 

To learn more, contact a garage company like Jayton Door Corporation

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