Garage Safety Essentials

Garage Safety Essentials: Protecting Your Space and Loved Ones

The garage is often more than just a place to store your car. It’s perfect for hobbies, DIY projects, and even extra storage space. But this multi-functional area can be dangerous. From fire hazards to toxic fumes, the garage can pose severe health risks to you and your family. At Better Built Garages, we’re proud to help homeowners in Chicago, IL maintain a safe garage for all purposes. Learn more about our garage safety guidelines in this handy guide.

The Garage Is Full of Hazards

We don’t often think of our homes as dangerous places, but it’s crucial to be aware of the hazards that may exist in your garage. Before we can ensure garage safety, we need to understand just what makes it potentially dangerous. Here are some of the top safety hazards found in garages:

• Faulty wiring
• Clutter and tripping hazards
• Poor ventilation
• Broken garage doors

How to Maintain a Safe Garage

The good news is that keeping your garage safe isn’t a difficult task! It just takes some regular maintenance and awareness of your surroundings. Here are our essential garage safety tips:

Fire Safety

The best thing you can do for your garage is to prioritize fire safety. Because of flammable materials like gasoline, oil, paint, and solvents, garages are common sites for fire outbreaks. We encourage some straightforward measures for reducing your fire risk:

• Keep a fire extinguisher in an accessible location.
• Install smoke detectors and test them every month.
• Hire a professional to inspect wiring and flag any electrical hazards.
• Store flammable liquids in a dedicated, vented cabinet away from sources of heat
• Never store propane tanks inside the garage.

Decluttering and Organization

We don’t often think about clutter as dangerous. Nevertheless, keeping your garage clutter-free goes a long way to creating a safe garage environment. Proper organization saves time, but it can also reduce trip-and-fall accidents. Try these decluttering strategies:

• Install sturdy shelves to keep heavy items off the floor. Make sure they’re properly anchored and won’t tip with a lot of weight.
• Maintain clear pathways and ensure there is always an exit route.
• Store tools safely in cabinets or mount them on hooks and pegboards.
• Keep sharp or dangerous items out of the reach of children.

Chemical Safety

Do you use your garage to store lawn chemicals, pesticides, and automotive fluids? The garage is often the best place to store them, but remember that these substances can be hazardous if mishandled. Take these essential garage safety measures when it comes to chemicals:

• Always work with chemicals in well-ventilated areas to avoid inhaling toxic fumes.
• Consider installing an exhaust fan to improve air circulation.
• Follow local regulations for disposing of hazardous waste. Never pour chemicals down the drain or into the ground.
• Keep all chemicals in their original containers with labels intact and store them in locked cabinets.

Electrical Precautions

Electrical malfunctions are a leading cause of garage fires. Something as simple as a frayed wire can lead to a major fire. Fortunately, garage safety equipment and simple precautions are all it takes to reduce the chances of an electrical fire. Here are our tips for electrical safety:

• Ensure your garage’s electrical outlets are protected by a circuit breaker. If you live in an older
• Check for GFCI outlets in damp areas. These specialized outlets are designed to prevent electric shock.
• Avoid using extension cords as permanent wiring solutions. If necessary, use heavy-duty cords and keep them away from walkways.

Safe Use of Vehicles

Aside from protecting your garage from accidents like falls and chemical inhalation, it’s vital to consider vehicle safety. Running vehicles in a closed garage can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning and severe health concerns. Take these steps to prevent them:

• Proper ventilation is key. Always open the garage door before starting your vehicle to ensure harmful gases aren’t pent up.
• Never sit in a running car in a closed garage longer than necessary. Turn off your vehicle as soon as you park.
• Perform regular maintenance on your vehicle to prevent leaks of oil or other fluids that could cause slips or falls.

Child Safety Measures

The garage can be a hazardous place for anyone, but especially children who don’t know any better. It’s a good idea to implement various safety measures to avoid any accidents involving children. Be sure to teach your children about the potential dangers in the garage. Don’t try to scare them, but calmly explain why avoiding the area is important. Always supervise children when they are in or around the garage and lock up any sharp tools and harmful chemicals.

Talk to an Inspector About Garage Safety

Sometimes, garage hazard prevention is easier said than done. Depending on the age of your home and the quality of construction, you may need to speak with a professional about maintaining garage safety. Regular building inspections can be an essential part of keeping your home safe. These inspections often identify issues that may not be immediately apparent to homeowners, such as structural weaknesses, faulty wiring, and inadequate ventilation systems. An inspector can provide expert advice on how to rectify these problems and suggest the latest safety products for garages.  This proactive approach not only increases the safety of your garage but also enhances the overall safety of your home. You can’t put a price on peace of mind, and investing in a home inspection can definitely alleviate your safety concerns.

Keep Your Garage Safe With Better Built Garages

Committing to these safety essentials for garages may seem overwhelming, but you’re up to the task! By implementing our tips, you can minimize risks and enjoy peace of mind. Most accidents are preventable with the right precautions and a proactive approach to safety.

At Better Built Garages, we’re dedicated to building safe, state-of-the-art garages for our customers in the Chicago area. We offer a slew of garage and door services, and our team will help you choose the right products and services for your needs. Contact us today for a free estimate.