People don’t think of their garages as dangerous but a large amount of accidents do occur in these storage areas. With the amount of items we put in our garages it’s easy to see that accidents can happen. Your best option is to have an organized, free flowing garage. Here are a few hazards you may encounter in your garage.
1) Clutter. By minimizing your clutter you reduce the chance of accidently tripping over an object and possibly hurting yourself. Storage containers are a great way to organize your stuff. Try to keep your stuff categorized as well. Keeping all your lawn care equipment separate from your auto repair equipment will be helpful in the long run.
2) Fire Hazards. Make sure to change your smoke detectors battery at least once a year. Most people have a large amount of oils, chemicals and rags in their garages. These items are prime suspect in garage fires. Some of these chemicals ignite upon mixing. It is recommended that you always have a fire extinguisher on hand in your garage. Be sure to have the correct type. A class B/C is recommended because they are typically used in combating fires started by grease, oil, kerosene and flammable liquids.
3) Garage Stairs. If your garage contains stairs make sure to add reflective tape to them and some sort of abrasive material like adhesive sandpaper. People tend to slip on oily , or not properly lit stairs.
4) Harmful Chemicals. Some of the products that contain dangerous chemicals are paint, pesticides and antifreeze. Make sure to properly label these and keep away from children’s reach. Check them periodically to ensure there is no leakage of these harmful chemicals.
5) Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. Fumes from vehicle exhaust can build up quickly and seep into your home. It is highly recommended that you have carbon monoxide alarms to warn you of any fumes that may be entering your home. Carbon monoxide poisoning renders a person helpless so a warning system is key.
6) Break-ins. It is important to have a properly working garage door. Garage doors that are not properly installed or maintained can be easily broken into. Your best bet is to have professional installers like Hudson Valley Over Head Doors and their Middletown Garage Doors, Germantown Garage Doors and LaGrange Garage Doors services.