Everything You Need to Know About Garage Fire Safety

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, every year, there are over 6,500 garage fires in homes across the country. Because garage fires can spread farther and faster than fires in other areas of the home, these yearly fires result in an average of 30 deaths, 400 injuries, and $457 million in property loss. That’s why garage fire safety is so important: it can literally save lives. Here are some garage fire safety tips to help keep you and your family safe.

Store Flammables in an Unattached Shed

One reason for the quick spread of garage fires is the number of flammables people store in their garages. To help prevent fires from spreading, try storing oil, gasoline, paints, propane, and varnishes in a shed away from your home. Not only can this help prevent fires, but it can also help make your garage more kid-friendly.

Be Careful with Appliances & Extension Cords

Overheating battery chargers are a common source of home fires, which is why it’s so important not to plug more than one appliance charger into an outlet. You should also avoid plugging appliances into extension cords, so you don’t overheat the electrical circuit.

Install a Heat Detector for your Garage

If you want to practice good garage fire safety, you may want to consider installing a heat detector in your garage. Unlike smoke alarms, which can often be set off by fumes from a vehicle, heat alarms are hardwired into the electrical system and sound if the temperature rises too high—not if it detects smoke.

Install a Fire Door or Fire Wall Between Your Garage and House

If you’re serious about fire safety in your garage, you might consider installing a fire-rated, self-latching door from the garage into the house. This can help isolate any fires that start in your garage, preventing them from moving into the house. You’d also benefit from having Type X gypsum boards installed in the wall that attaches your garage to your home or in the ceiling, if there is a living space above your garage.

At Larry Myers Garage Doors, we’re happy to help you find the right garage fire safety solution for your home. Don’t hesitate to give us a call for any garage installation and repair needs you might have. In the meantime, check out our blog where we cover everything from how to clean oil off a concrete garage floor to how to prepare your garage for an earthquake.