Did you realize your garage is one of the most dangerous rooms in your house? According to the United States Fire Administration, 6,600 garage fires occur each year, resulting in $457 million in property destruction. The start of summer is an excellent opportunity to assess your home’s security features and consider what you can do to improve them. This is the time when the sun is beating down and the kids are at home without school and the time when most garage accidents or fires are likely to happen.
When guests arrive at your house, one of the first things they see is your garage door. It plays a big role in the overall curb appeal of your house. But garage doors do more than just impact your home’s appearance. They also affect your energy bills, security, and even the resale value of your property. A garage fire can quickly spread to your home, causing extensive damage and potential injuries. Taking some simple precautions can help prevent a garage fire from starting, and also help contain any fire that does start.
Learn how to make your family safe and home from the possible damaging effects of a garage fire.
Do not Store Flammable Materials
Unfortunately, combustible products are all too prevalent in garages. Among the flammable objects and materials that should not be stored and to be avoided are:
Lighter fluid
Aerosol cans
Brake fluid
Gas cylinders
Paint thinner
Turpentine cans
Propane tanks
Oil-based cleaning products
Paint cans and tins
Varnish
Safeguard material near your Water Heater and Boiler
Keep all goods at least three feet away from your heat sources such as the water heater and boiler, if they are stored in your garage. A combustible item contacting these gadgets can cause havoc in your garage and your house.
Use Fire-rated quality Electrical Outlets
You may be aware of the electrical outlets in your home, but are you aware of the outlets in your garage? Today outlets are required not just to listen to that boom-box but for charging the EV car and mobile phones, powering shop tools and lawn mowing equipment.
Use adequate wattage light bulbs and avoid overloading electrical cords. It is critical not to overload your electrical wiring and outlets. Each outlet should only have one appliance plugged in. Check that all cables are in excellent condition and are not frayed, damaged, or bent.
You should also avoid utilizing extension cords for garage-stored appliances and electrical tools. Electrical malfunction might occur when extension cables overheat.
Configure Fire Defensive Devices for safety
Are there smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms or heat alarms in your garage?
A smoke alarm is better at detecting smoldering flames, toxic fumes and dangerous gases. Heat alarms, on the other hand, are less sensitive to innocuous elements such as dust and humidity. As a result, many individuals install heat detectors in their garages.
If you pick a heat alarm, have an electrician link it to your home’s smoke detectors. When the heat alarm goes off, so do the smoke detectors.
A fire-rated door going from your garage to your home is another crucial and additional fire prevention element. To prevent the fire from spreading inside your home, the door should have a tight seal. It should not have a pet door, which can allow smoke and fire to enter. It should also include self-latching and self-closing mechanisms to guarantee that it remains shut.
Strengthen your Walls and Attic
Reinforcement of every portion of your home that contacts your garage is a vital technique to protect your home from fire.
Half-inch (1/2 inch) gypsum board should be used to reinforce the garage wall that connects to your home. Install 5/8 inch Type X gypsum board in the ceiling of any living space above your garage. If you have attic access from your garage, use an attic hatch cover to keep the attic safe.
Care for your Garage
Keep an eye out for any problems if you park a car in your garage. Dripping oil or gas from your automobile might ignite a fire.
If you find a leak, have your automobile repaired straight soon. Having your automobile inspected on a regular basis might help you avoid problems that could lead to a fire. A fire might be caused by cracked gasoline lines, defective fuel injectors, or a faulty automobile battery.
Look for a New Site for Auto Repairs
Many types of automobile maintenance might also be hazardous to do in your garage. Welding employs combustible materials and poses a significant fire risk. Find a different location for these activities and make sure to use safety gear.
For more information on fire prevention in your garage, please call (720) 902-4081, and a Spark Garage Doors specialist will contact you immediately. We have high levels of customer satisfaction due to the quality of our garage door repair services in Littleton, CO, fair prices, and rapid emergency response at no extra cost!
Contact Spark Garage Doors Littleton at (720) 902-4081 to know more about garage door repair and garage door installation services.
