Fire safety in the home is something that’s important to every household, so what about the garage, particularly if its attached to the home? While the garage may not be a place we think about too much, with regard to fire safety, its actually one of the most potentially hazardous areas of the home. Why is this?
Because its generally the place we keep our most flammable items. We often store items such as gasoline cans, used paint cans and varnishes as well as other hazardous materials. We are also likely to use the garage for working on yard equipment such as lawnmowers and weed whackers etc. Its also the place we work on our cars or motorbikes. Its clear to see, then, that extra fire prevention measures should be taken in this part of the house.
What are some fire prevention measures we should take?
- Have a periodic check of the door that connects the garage to the rest of the house. Look for broken seals or gaps that could allow toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide to seep into the house.
- Make sure the garage is fitted with carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
- Never leave items that would ignite easily on the garage floor. Items such as oily rags or bags full of garbage should not be left lying around. If you have been working on machinery in the garage, make sure to clean up after you, especially any oil spill etc.
- Flammable items should be stored correctly and clearly labeled.
- It is a good idea to have your garage inspected by a certified home inspector who will be able to point out areas that could be potentially hazardous and not up to proper safety standards.
Please feel free to contact us if you would like your garage or home inspected by a certified home inspector.
