Garages can often be used for many different purposes besides just storing a car. Below are some helpful tips that can be used to make a residential garage safer.
Be Careful Storing Dangerous Chemicals
An important safety tip for keeping a garage safe is to store all the dangerous chemicals away from children and animals. Remember to hide or elevate any potentially hazardous liquids and materials such as gasoline, pesticides, fertilizers, paint thinners, bleaches, oils, etc.
Keep any propane tanks locked up and disconnected when not in use and make sure to store any flammable liquids away from open flames and hot spots.
Consider investing in some garage organizer bins to prevent tripping hazards and utilize garage ceiling space to keep things off the floor.
Keep Storage Areas Organized To Avoid Accidents
A great way to passively keep yourself and others safe in the garage is to install shelving and other adequate storage containers. By keeping the garage and the surrounding storage areas neat and organized it will help to reduce clutter, therefore lowering the possibility of tripping on something. Consider investing in a storage solution that will utilize the garage ceiling for storage space and keep the floor clear of anything that could be a tripping hazard.
Watch Out For Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Garages are common places for carbon monoxide buildups, which is hazardous to human health and potentially fatal if left unchecked. Carbon monoxide gas is completely odorless and invisible to the naked eye.
While in a closed garage, never leave a vehicle running or use power equipment with an internal combustion engine like portable generators or pressure washers. Carbon monoxide can also leech from a garage into a home and potentially cause other health and safety concerns. Consider installing a carbon monoxide alarm in the garage for increased peace of mind.
Be Aware Of Flammable Materials And Liquids
While this still might fall under the category of storing dangerous chemicals, it's still important to mention the hazards of flammable materials.
Don't store any items such as gasoline, paint thinner, or anything flammable near an ignition source such as a hot water heater or air conditioning unit.
Always make sure that the garage is properly ventilated so no harmful toxins can build up. Always keep a class B or C fire extinguisher somewhere in the garage where it can be easily accessed.
Make Sure The Garage Is Well Lit
Another safety tip for the garage is to always ensure that it is well lit— both inside and outside. Keeping the garage bright outside will help to scare off burglars, and keeping an inside light on will help prevent tripping hazards and might confuse potential intruders as to whether someone is home.
Make sure all light switches are easy to find, not covered or blocked, and in an easy to access location. Put switches for outside lights inside the garage so they can’t be used from outside. Consider investing in a utility shop light with a pull string to hang from the garage ceiling.
Keep The Garage Door Well Maintained
Since the sliding garage door itself is such a big entrance, it's important to make sure it closes securely and is in good condition.
A good practice is to walk around the interior and exterior of the garage door and make sure all the bolts and screws are tightened. Make sure to test any electric garage door openers if possible and regularly check the trip sensor to double check the door will stop closing if an obstruction is detected.
Consider investing in a garage door sensor that can send alerts when the garage door is left open.
Be Aware Of What’s In The Driveway
Did you know that each year more than 9000 children are treated in emergency rooms for injuries that occurred while they were unattended around motor vehicles? Safekids.org also advises parents to walk all the way around their parked car in the driveway to check for children before reversing or driving off.
Keep items like toys, bikes, chalk, and anything else that could attract children or thieves locked in the garage or a storage area instead of outside on the driveway.
Consider investing in a driveway motion alarm to receive notifications when movement is detected.
Make Sure All Garage Entryways Are Secure
An important part of keeping every garage safe is to always ensure that the doors and windows leading into the garage are sturdy enough to keep out burglars.
Install high security locks on all entrance doors and keep every window covered as to prevent potential burglars from peering inside.
Use keyless deadbolts to keep doors locked from the inside only at night and keep all overhead garage doors locked securely when at home.
Child And Pet Proof The Garage
According to the ASPCA there are many items commonly stored in garages that are hazardous and potentially fatal for young children and pets. Some of these garage dangers for children and pets include insecticides, veterinary products, household items, prescriptions, rodenticides, and garden products like herbicides and fungicides.
Keep garages safe by being aware of where items are stored, even for those that don't have a pet or a child. Be prepared for visitors and any worst case scenarios; always try to keep garage interiors as kid and animal friendly as possible.
Protect Vehicles From Theft Or Burglary
Keeping personal and work vehicles securely locked in a garage is a good way to keep burglars and other criminals away from the home. Vehicles that are left parked in the driveway, on the street, or in a parking lot are much more likely to be vandalized, broken into, or even stolen than those in a garage. The safest thing that can be done for a vehicle is to keep it secure in a garage with the keys tightly locked away in a separate room.
Those with a keyless entry system might consider keeping their car keys locked away securely overnight so thieves can't exploit the radio signals in the fob to remotely gain access to the vehicle.
Keep Garages Safe With These Important Garage Safety Tips
Every garage door is an important part of a homes perimeter, so keep it well maintained and it will function properly for a long time. Keep in mind the dangers that all items may pose to the health and safety of the occupants.
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