A garage in your home is one of the points that are susceptible to be unsafe and can be more hazardous to anyone in your home. A garage in a home gives you more functional space to work on your vehicles and other automobiles. A garage is an active place and it requires a lot of effort and some diligence so that they remain safe always. Apart from housing some of your automobiles, a garage can be used by the home owner to store other things that can be hazardous. Substances like oils, lubricants, paint and other chemicals are housed in the garage and besides, they are flammable. They must be stored according to set guidelines to avoid fire. The garage can also host tools and cans which might cause injuries if not stored well. To be on the safer side while using the garage, the following tips are necessary:
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Ensure there is enough lighting in the garage
This tip might go unnoticed and yet it plays a crucial role in your garage. Before you can start anything in your garage, you need enough light even when parking your car. A garage without enough lighting is insecure and unsafe to use even though the time we spent in is minimal. Garages that usually incorporate the use of flickering florescent light with just few bulbs to provide lighting in the entire place are totally an old concept that shouldn’t be embraced.
Garage lighting can be updated in several ways to offer enough lighting for safety purposes. Modern LED light fixtures can be used to bring lighting uniformity experience and is a better way of energy efficiency. It is easier to work with tools or when looking for something.
Fire hazard safety
In the garage, you deal with a lot of fire hazards that include flammable chemicals, fuels and oils which are highly flammable. You are also dealing with electrics and your vehicle too is a potential fire hazard. As such, you need to set fire extinguishers at specific points at all times. In case you want to work on a painting project of your vehicle, make sure that there is no trace of any flames or potential flame threats. Pilot lights like the natural gas water heater should be off. This is to ensure that there are no chances of explosion of atomized paint that might even spread to the entire garage.
Safety of the carjack
Carjack safety is important while in the garage. A garage owner or anybody using any type of carjack in the garage should realize that there is no guarantee the carjack is 100% effective. After you have lifted your vehicle with any type of carjack, it is necessary to supplement it using a set of high quality ramps before you can think of start working under the vehicle. In case you don’t have a set of quality ramps, you can use a quality axle ramp. Besides, you should have a routine check of your working tools including jacks for wear and tear to be on the safer side.
Control clutter
A garage that is cluttered not only does it make it hard to locate tools but makes it hard for you to pack your vehicle properly. It is also a safety hazard in the garage as sometimes you can be knocked by some of the tools or they can potentially fall from their location and injure anybody. Some chemicals, oils and fuel are also safety hazards as they are highly flammable. They should be stored in their respective places to avoid clatter. A lot of clutter can also trip someone in the garage especially in circumstances of low lighting. To make your garage safe, ensure the space within the garage is well organized and there is no clutter. There should be enough space for packing, storage and movement of tools and personnel.
Store sharp tools at their respective place
For safety purposes in your garage, ensure that quality standards are observed when handling sharp tools. Sharp, power and handy tools should be stored safely in their respective positions even after a long day working on your car. Even if there is pending work on your vehicle, it is good storing them safely and not leaving them on ground where you are working. A proper storage system investment is therefore essentially important so that you have a humble and easy time storing your tools. It also enables you to keep the floor clean at all times.
Wrapping up
There are other different ways your garage can be kept safe other that what discussed. A well-organized garage is a number one priority to being safe while walking and working in the garage. In order to observe safety of your garage at all times, make sure you invest in a garage that has modern organizational design. It should have enough space and that the space is well anchored. Note that a well-spaced garage will only look attractive when there is proper organization and storage. Even a small garage with tools stored at their respective places creates more space for use and movement. The garage system should be well anchored on ceilings or on walls so that accidental slips are prevented.
Another important tip that could be a safety hazard is the carbon monoxide exposure. As a driver, you are aware that carbon monoxide that any type of vehicle emits through the exhaust system is a health risk. When the vehicle is left in the garage for prolonged periods is safety concern in regard to your health even if the doors are left open. For safety reasons, if you intend to store your vehicle for a longer period, ensure that it is done away from the garage or on the driveway. Also, avoid doing maintenance on your vehicle for too long in your garage as it possess high risks on your health and other people that might come in contact with it. It is also advisable to use a garage exhaust fan.
