Preventing Garage Fires

7/29/2019 (Permalink)

Many homes catch fire every year from an unexpected source outside of their home: the garage. The risk of a home catching fire is increased if the garage is connected or attached to the home. As this is a common cause of residential fires, it is important to understand what causes garage fires to start. With the causes in mind, you can take preventative measures to protect your home from the dangers of garage fires.

Archaic or even just aging circuits as well as outlets that are overpowered by too many electrical appliances can spark as a result of these electrical complications. These sparks make the chances of nearby combustible items igniting more likely, which could exacerbate the situation, as those items allow the fire to grow rather quickly. Investigating the state of your garage’s wiring system, which can be completed by an electrician, would be a practical solution to this problem. Alongside of this, stick to wall outlets as your primary power source for electrical appliances in the garage, as relying on extension cords can lead to further electrical issues.

Garages are frequently used as storage solutions, but keeping clutter piled in your garage could escalate the scope of the fire in seconds if one were to ignite. If piles of flammable objects fill your garage, a small fire can gain traction and dramatically increase in size rapidly. Cleaning out your garage can decrease the probability of this happening.

Normally residing in garages, oil, gasoline, paint, and other flammable liquids can become dangerous when met with a flame or spark. These liquids will ignite under such circumstances, fueling the fire and creating a more dangerous situation. Simply storing flammable liquids somewhere like a shed that is a fair distance from your home would be a much safer practice, as the fire would become isolated away from your home.

During the winter months when propane tanks aren’t being used for grilling, some people decide to store the tanks in their garage. Doing so poses danger to your home, however, considering that propane tanks can easily catch fire. Instead of keeping them in the garage, store propane tanks in safer, outdoor areas where there is plenty of ventilation.

In addition to abiding by these guidelines, taking supplemental precautions can help to protect your home in case of an emergency. One of which includes keeping a fire extinguisher either in your home or inside of the garage that could be grabbed quickly in an emergency. Another preventative measure to take includes installing heat alarms in your garage in order to detect a potential fire faster.