Does Your Garage Pass Our Fire Safety Checklist?

If a fire ignites in an attached garage, it can spread into a home’s living space. What’s more, the average garage has a number of potential fire hazards. Here are five tips for safeguarding your home against garage fires and keeping your family and belongings safe.

Your garage is clean and clutter-free

It’s convenient to use your garage to store your belongings, but you should take care to keep the space tidy. Boxes of clothes, piles of newspaper, and many other items can act as kindling in the event of a fire. Keep these things on shelves, away from electrical devices and heat-producing appliances. You should also deep clean your garage at least a few times a year to get rid of dust, debris, leaves, oil, and grime, all of which can pose a fire risk.

In addition, be sure to keep every access point to your garage clear so that people can exit quickly in the event of a fire.

Need some de-cluttering inspiration? Check out our blog on safe storage solutions for organizing your garage.

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Flammable liquids are stored in a safe place

People commonly store flammable liquids in their garages such as gasoline, oil, varnish, and paint thinner. These products need to be handled and stored with care. Make sure they’re properly sealed at all times and keep them out of the reach of children, either in locked cabinets or on high shelves. They should also be stored away from electronics, batteries, and appliances that could spark a fire.

However, an even better option is to remove these flammable liquids from your garage entirely and store them in an outbuilding or backyard shed without electrical wiring. There are fewer potential fire hazards in a shed, your vehicle included (note that the fumes from your car can ignite flammable liquids). Moreover, if a fire does begin in your shed, it will likely be easier to contain and cause less damage than if a fire starts in the garage.

adapter electrical fire overload

Everyone understands electrical appliance usage

Power tools and electrical appliances are one of the main causes of garage fires. Always exercise caution when using these devices and be sure to plug them directly into a wall socket rather than a power bar or extension cord. Moreover, don’t overload your electrical system by plugging in too many devices at once. If you have extensive wiring in your garage or if it was a DIY job, it’s a good idea to have it inspected by a licensed electrician to ensure that it’s safe.


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You have proper fire safety equipment

It’s important to have a smoke detector or heat detector in your garage. Ensure that the device is hard-wired or wirelessly connected to the detectors in your home. And be sure to test it on a regular basis.

It’s also a good idea to have a fire-extinguisher in your garage and know how to use it effectively. This way you can quickly snuff out a small fires before it turn into a major blaze. This would also be an excellent time to review how to use the equipment with your family and discuss your emergency evacuation plan.

Add fireproof features to your garage

For additional protection, ensure that the walls and ceilings are fireproof. Install fire-rated drywall (Type X or Type C) if you don’t already have it in your walls and ceiling. Also, consider replacing the door separating your garage from your living quarters with a fire-resistant, self-closing door. This way, if a fire starts in the garage it has less of a chance of spreading into the home.

If you have an older garage door, you may want to consider trading it in for a newer model. Many older garage doors aren’t as fire-resistant as modern garage doors, which are made of heat-resistant materials and a fire-resistant core.

Keep in mind that your garage door can serve as an exit in the event of a fire, so make sure it’s always functioning well and keep up to date on your garage door maintenance. If the door isn’t opening or closing properly, don’t wait to request a service.

new garage door steel installation

Choose Safe and Modern Garage Doors in Western Canada

For a reliable, fire-resistant garage door, turn to Creative Door Services™. We offer a vast selection of top-quality steel, wood, fibreglass, vinyl, and glass garage doors and provide dependable garage door maintenance and repair services throughout Western Canada. For more information, contact us at one of our locations in Vancouver, British Columbia; Kelowna, British Columbia; Edmonton, Alberta; Fort McMurray, Alberta; Calgary, Alberta; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; Regina, Saskatchewan; and Winnipeg, Manitoba.

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