Neighborhood Garage Door Service of Dayton, OH always strives to provide excellent garage door service for your convenience. However, our highest priority is always the safety and security of you and your family. It is important to practice proper chemical storage to avoid garage fires.
Always Use Appropriate Containers
It can be easy to rush to put things away at the end of a home improvement project and not store items properly. This establishes a bad pattern that can lead to ongoing improper storage of harmful chemicals. There are some rules of thumb to keep in mind when putting up your chemicals.
Use water-tight containers to store oil-based paints and check for punctures in the lid or walls. Only put gasoline in gas cans that are clearly marked, and keep the lid in place. Leave household cleaning products in the containers they came in when you bought them.
Practice Safe Storage Habits
It’s important to store these safe containers in safe ways in your garage. Take the time to map out where you will store potentially dangerous items in your garage. Keep these tips in mind as you make your plans.
Avoid sources of ignition
Don’t store chemicals in places subject to excessive heat. Keep them away from electrical outlets. Place them far away from space heaters or water heaters.
Place them at proper heights
Keep chemicals at least 6 inches off the floor. Don’t place them on shelves higher the eye-level. Also, be sure to use corrosive-resistant shelving.
Provide ventilation
Make sure that potentially flammable items are stored in a well-ventilated area. This will prevent build-up of gases. These kinds of build-ups can cause catastrophic fires with even a very small spark.
Chemicals At Risk
Some chemicals you store are more obviously dangerous than others. Gasoline and diesel products are fire risks in any setting and are usually stored carefully. However, have you considered other more mundane items that can also put your safety at risk?
- Solvents – Certain household solvents can pose a fire risk when vapors mix with air. If exposed to a flame or spark, they can become instantly and violently combustible. Products to watch out for include nail polish remover, paint thinners, turpentine, spot removers, and super glue.
- Disinfectants – Read labels and look for benzene, aniline, phenols, toluene, or carbolic acids. These are potentially flammable.
- Ethanol and ethyl products – Anything containing these alcohols are potentially combustible. You’ll find these especially in isopropyl alcohol, commonly known as rubbing alcohol.
Call Us For Garage Fire Repair
Following these chemical storage steps will help you greatly reduce the risk of fire damage to your garage and home. If you have experienced a garage fire, Neighborhood Garage Door Service of Dayton, Ohio is here to help. Call us today to repair or replace your garage door if it’s experienced smoke or fire damage. One of our friendly customer service representatives will gladly take your call, gather your information, and quickly dispatch one of our technicians.
