How Fire Safe is Your Garage?

4/8/2021 (Permalink)

Safety-minded homeowners are diligent about keeping their homes safe from flames, including having an accessible fire extinguisher near the kitchen and having working smoke alarms throughout the house. Unfortunately, the garage is often overlooked. How fire safe is your garage?

Garages are a common area for fire damage

Garages are one of the most common sources of fire damage. If you park vehicles of any kind in the garage, there are items like gas or oil in your garage as well. It’s important to be careful keeping items like this stored in an enclosed space in your home. Since garages are typically out of sight most of the time when homeowners are home, a fire can start and go unsuspected until the damage is substantial and potentially spreading to the house itself. When that happens, flames can spread quickly, so the best defense against a fire is offense!

Be proactive to stay safe

When it comes to fire damage in your garage, being proactive is the best defense to keep your home as safe as possible from flames and the damage they can cause. Fuels, fluids, and cleaners should be sealed properly, and flammable materials stored away from elements. Electrical devices in a garage need to be used carefully. Do not overload the circuit box and be sure to unplug any units when they’re not in use. You should also have the right fire extinguisher in your garage. Clear any clutter out of your garage, as it cuts down on the probability of a fire spreading in the event of an emergency by limiting flammable materials. Flammable liquids need to be stored away from heat sources of any kind such as space heaters, vents, and pilot lights. Keep propane tanks outdoors. They are equipped and made sturdy for outdoor storage.

What to do if you experience a fire in your garage
 

After a fire in a garage, there are several forms of damage including smoke and soot, plus water damage from putting the fire out that need to be addressed. Give SERVPRO a call at 602-507-6163 as soon as the fire is safely out so we can salvage as much as possible through our fire remediation services. Our team of professionals is trained to assess the damage and potential threats, extract and contain the affected area, dry, and restore your property to preloss condition.