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Today’s busy families use garages for much more than parking cars, and are often used as multi-purpose rooms. Garages can easily fill up with things that may cause potential fire or carbon monoxide hazards, so be aware of these hazardous conditions for your safety.

1. Garage Fires
2. Flammable chemicals
3. Electrical circuits
4. Flammable materials
5. Carbon monoxide
6. Electrical Wires

Have you considered...

One of the easiest things you can do to prevent a garage fire is keep the area clean. Do not allow flammable items to build up. Install storage shelving to keep materials open and accessible and throw old flammable items away.

Look for paint, solvents and other volatile or flammable chemicals that might be stored there. Make sure they are discarded or stored safely in proper containers, away from any heat sources.

If working in the garage, check the electrical outlets and wiring for crowding and items in poor repair. Don’t leave power cords lying around where they might be damaged or cut.

Clean up any unnecessary accumulation of flammable materials – boxes, papers or clothing. Keep spaces around hot water tanks, work benches and cars free from things that might ignite and burn if exposed to heat, sparks or flame.

Cars and gas heated hot water tanks are potential sources of carbon monoxide, a deadly gas often found in garages. Make sure the garage is well ventilated and be extra safe by installing a heat alarm in your garage or unfinished attic.

Do not let exposed electrical wires go untreated. The potential for a fire to ignite due to vapors and other fumes exposed to electrical wires creates a volatile environment. Have electrical wiring repaired by a professional electricians. Make sure to keep lights and electrical items lint free and in good condition.

Tips For Other Rooms

• Attic
• Basement
• Bathroom
• Bedroom
• Entryway
• Family Room
• Garage
• Kitchen
• Laundry/Utility Room
• Outdoors

Back to My Home Safety

The garage can serve as a place for hobby desks, laundry rooms, storage or play space. But frequently we forget about the real fire hazards that are commonly found in the garage. Items like gasoline, paint thinners or other combustible substances can transform our garages from an extra room in our homes to a volatile environment prime for an accident.

Garages also rank high on the list of one of the most cluttered areas in many homes. You may not even be aware of some of the potential fire hazards waiting in your garage. So take a few minutes to educate yourself on some of the more common hazards we've identified, and spend some time investigating what you can do to protect yourself and your family.

• What's important to know about gas-fired water heaters?
• Learn what hazards faulty electrical cords may present.
• Read about the safe storage of fuel.