There’s a lot to answer the question, How Do Most Garage Fires Start? However, it is a crucial question. Thousands of garage fires occur every year, resulting in millions of dollars in property damage, hundreds of injuries, and a few deaths. Today, we’re going to talk about keeping your workshop safe from fires. We’ll talk about what causes fires, how to put out a fire, and what to do if one occurs.
Information On How Do Most Garage Fires Start?
Garage fires are a serious concern and can start due to a variety of reasons. One of the leading causes is electrical malfunctions, which can occur due to shorts in wires, damaged wires, or overloaded electrical outlets.
The risk of fire increases if the garage is used for purposes other than parking cars, such as a workshop. The presence of flammable materials often stored inside a garage can also contribute to the severity of garage fires.
Another potential cause of garage fires is the ignition of sparks in the air, which can lead to explosions. Therefore, it’s advised to store flammable materials like oil, gasoline, paints, propane, and varnishes away from your home.
To prevent garage fires, it’s important to keep the garage clean and organized, regularly disposing of trash, debris, and other combustible materials. Also, avoid using extension cords on a permanent basis and ensure your electrical circuits are in good condition.
Before we go into how to prevent garage fires, you’ll need to know the answer to another question. What causes garages to catch fire? The truth is that the solution is far more complicated than you might think. A garage fire is extremely hazardous.
It has the potential to injure people, ruin property, and more. It can cause the entire house to catch fire if you have an attached garage. Any homeowner must exercise caution to avoid these problems. Is it true that the majority of house fires start in the garage?
No. However, because the garage is less used than other locations, those that do occur tend to spiral out of hand. Various factors can cause garage fires, but four are the most common. Please continue reading to learn what causes garage fires and how to avoid them in your own home.
Propane Storage Tanks
Even if it isn’t grilling season, keep your gas tanks out of the house. It might be disastrous if the tank leaks or isn’t properly sealed. An explosion can be caused by a little spark that ignites in the air. Fire officials advise against putting these tanks in the garage for your protection.
Instead, look for new storage space or buy fewer tanks. You’ll avoid an unplanned explosion in your garage, which might be terrible for the entire house.
Combustible Liquids
Gasoline, oil, and cleaning supplies are frequently left in the garage. These liquids aren’t always hazardous, but they can catch fire if they contact a flame or a spark. Furthermore, the liquid’s vapor may catch fire. Keep these beverages in a shed or a secure location. All flammable substances should be kept in their original containers and clearly labeled.
Clutter
Garages are frequently used to store large amounts of trash. As a result, they can quickly fill up with items you don’t want to throw out. The more debris you have, the faster a fire will spread. This problem can be avoided by decluttering. You can donate, dispose of, or give outdated stuff to individuals who will value them.
Electrical Problems
An electrical problem is one of the most frequent causes of garage fires. Overloaded electrical outlets or malfunctioning old electrical circuits can cause fires. When possible, avoid using extension cables for long periods. Keep the garage door opener plugged into a standard wall outlet. If you live in an older home, you should have your wiring inspected by a professional.
What To Do To Avoid Fire?
Preventative measures are the most effective approach to avoiding fires. However, knowing what to do if one does break out is also a good idea. These fires spread quickly and cause more injuries than other house fires. Is it necessary to install a smoke alarm in your garage? Yes! There are two alternative ways to defend your house and garage:
- If your garage door opener does not have a heat alarm, you should install one.
- Check to see if you have a fire extinguisher in the garage or throughout your home.
Can You Start A Fire In A Garage?
That’s a question we get a lot. This procedure should be avoided at all costs. A fire can start from any flame. It’s especially important to avoid utilizing a fire pit in a garage or other enclosed place. When dealing with a fire, exercise caution. If the flames are out of control, get out of the area and contact local emergency services.
Important Steps For Fire Damaged Homeowners
If you have a garage fire and need to deal with the aftermath, you should do a few things. To begin, take a deep breath and relax as much as possible to take these steps peacefully.
Make Contact With Your Insurance Provider
If your home is certified, contact your insurance firm as soon as possible to inform them of the fire. Make sure you understand what your insurance covers to get a fair payment. Because each policy is different, it will impact the rest of your actions.
Most insurance will cover the value of the house before the fire. If the loss is total, the insurance company may agree to pay the full policy value for the house and any inside belongings during the fire.
Hire A Professional To Inspect Your Home
After a fire, your insurance provider may send an adjuster to assess the property. Regrettably, this isn’t always sufficient. They frequently make judgments that benefit the firm rather than you. Hiring your specialist might help you figure out how much repairs will cost. The interior walls, structure, framing, roof, heating systems, siding, plumbing, and stucco or concrete should be inspected.
Decide Whether To Repair Or Rebuild
You can choose whether to repair or demolish and rebuild the garage after an inspection. Your insurance policy may limit your options. Ensure you understand the cleanup process and costs for everything from water damage to soot removal and cleanup to smoke damage restoration.
Find The Best Expert In Your Area
After making the necessary selections, make sure you do your homework before selecting a contractor. This worker should have prior work experience and deal with insurance providers.
Safety Tips For Your Garage
Though nothing is completely fireproof, you can greatly reduce your chances of a house fire, particularly a garage fire, by following these steps:
- Keep oil, fuel, propane, paint, and varnish in a separate structure, such as a shed, away from the rest of the house. These substances are extremely combustible and should not be kept in your garage.
- If you have appliances in your garage, such as a washer and dryer, don’t place anything on top of them because this can cause a fire.
- Never plug too many things into a single socket. Overloaded outlets are a common occurrence in garages, and this is one of the major causes of garage fires.
- When powering or charging equipment in garages, avoid using extension cords. It’s just another method for cables to short out and start a new fire.
- Sweep your garage regularly and make an effort to keep it nice. Some people don’t keep their garages organized, and the more debris they accumulate, the more fire starter fuel they provide.
- A solid-fuel burning device should never be used or installed in a garage. There’s a reason it’s against the building code. It poses a significant fire risk.
- Instead of a smoke alarm, install a heat alarm. The heat alarm is more consistent and trustworthy because smoke alarms can go off when the temperature gets too hot or when dust and fumes interfere with their reading. If it keeps sounding false alarms, you’ll probably detach the monitor at some point, which will then be useless.
Conclusion
To conclude about How Do Most Garage Fires Start? Now that you’re aware of the most prevalent garage safety concerns, you can take steps to ensure that your garage is kept safe. In addition, a smoke and heat detector should be installed in your garage. It’s also good to have a fire extinguisher in the garage (be sure it’s suitable for cold climate storage if you live in such an environment).
Source:
U.S. Fire Administration (PDF)
