Garages aren’t just for parking vehicles. Today, homeowners use them as work-and-play spaces that every family member can enjoy. Therefore, you must take preventative measures to ensure yours is safe. Here are six residential garage safety hazards you shouldn’t ignore.

1. Clutter

It should come as no surprise that according to the Home Safety Council, 33 per cent of all reported garage-related injuries result from trips and slips. Help prevent accidents in your garage by purging the space of items you don’t need or use. Then, invest in shelving units or pegboards to organize the things you decide to keep. Moreover, ensuring the floor is clear of clutter will reduce your risk of tripping or falling.

2. Carbon monoxide fumes

Nicknamed the silent killer, carbon monoxide from vehicle exhaust can quickly build up within the confined space of your garage and seep inside your home. These fumes can only be detected using carbon monoxide detectors, which you can purchase at most hardware stores.

Keep your family safe by installing detectors into your electrical outlets on every level of your home for early detection. Take preventative measures by never leaving your vehicle running while parked in the garage, even if the garage door is open.

3. Tool safety

Whether you use your garage for storage or a makeshift workshop, tool storage and maintenance are essential for ensuring a safe space. To prevent accidents and save energy, unplug power tools when you’re not using them and store them in cabinets with the heaviest tools stored nearest the floor. Poorly maintained tools also pose a safety risk. Ensure tools with metal blades are cleaned and sharpened often to keep them in pristine condition.

4. Fire hazards

It’s common to store combustible chemicals like fertilizer and paint thinner in your garage. If you have these items, seal them tightly in their original containers away from open flames and electrical outlets. If a spill occurs, immediately soak up the liquids with sawdust or kitty litter, sweep it up and dispose of it appropriately.

Portable space heaters are a common culprit of garage fires, and you should turn them off when no one’s around. Keep a Class B/C fire extinguisher on hand. This extinguisher class can fight fires involving grease, oil, kerosene, and other flammable liquids.

5. Chemicals, poisons, and hazardous materials

Although safety measures in the home prevent children and pets from consuming poisonous substances, the garage often gets forgotten. People use their garages to store pesticides, pool products, engine fluids, antifreeze, and industrial cleaners. The trouble is, they’re rarely appropriately stored.

Moreover, products like washer fluid resemble sports drinks and juices; products children love to drink. Do your best to keep dangerous liquids and chemicals in their original containers, sealed and raised from the floor, out of the reach of children and curious pets. These lookalike products can get mistaken for treats and could have devastating consequences.

6. Garage doors

Garage doors are big, heavy, moving objects that can hurt, pin, and even kill pets and people. Consequently, take the correct safety precautions and invest in regular maintenance to ensure your equipment doesn’t unexpectedly break down or cause injury.

For example, mount your door opener’s activation button out of reach of small children so they can’t accidentally open or close it. Also, familiarize yourself with the door’s features. For example, many garage doors come with built-in external obstruction sensing and reversing systems, which prevent them from closing if it senses something in the way.

Moreover, Creative Door Services(tm) offers a planned maintenance program to increase the safety and security of your garage door. One of our trained technicians will regularly visit your home to thoroughly test every component of your door to ensure its continued reliable performance.

Finally, now that you’re aware of the most common garage safety hazards, ensure you’re being responsible. Spend time reorganizing your garage and watch for potential threats to create a safe space for you and your family.

Residential Garage Door Experts in Western Canada

If you need a new garage door or want to replace your existing one, look no further than Creative Door Services^TM. We carry a wide variety of residential garage doors with advanced safety features. We also have the necessary parts and accessories to automate and secure your garage door.

Contact us today to schedule a service call and learn the benefits of garage door preventative maintenance. We have locations in Kelowna, British Columbia; Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta; Fort McMurray, Alberta; Regina, Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Winnipeg, Manitoba.