Next we’ll discuss general safety tips for the home. When it comes to home safety, there are probably more risks in the garage than anywhere else in the house. You’ll want to take extra precautions to make sure you’ve dealt with all the hazards in this area. One of the best known risks is carbon monoxide poisoning. Because carbon monoxide (CO) is clear and odorless, you can’t detect it yourself, and you can be overcome quickly if exposed to it. Thousands of people every year suffer from CO poisoning, and many die. In garages, this is usually due to a car left running after shutting the garage door. People will be listening to a talk show or ball game on the radio, and forget to turn off the car engine. Another common scenario is when people warm up their car in the garage during the wintertime. These are the most common concerns about CO poisoning, but that’s not the full story. Cars aren’t the only source of carbon monoxide fumes. Any running motor, such as a lawn mower, a chain saw, motorcycle, etc., can be deadly. So can a woodstove or kerosene heater used in the garage, or even a barbecue grill. All these put out enough CO to kill a person. In addition, it’s not true that the garage door has to be closed in order for the CO to build up to dangerous levels. These myths have led many people to believe that as long as they don’t run their car engine with the door fully closed, there’s no danger. But to really keep yourself safe from carbon monoxide poisoning, you should never run any engine inside. Instead, always move outside the garage before starting the engine. It may seem like a hassle, but it’s worth it. You should also consider purchasing a CO detector – it can save your life.
Another common safety hazard in the garage is gasoline. If stored or handled improperly, it can be extremely dangerous. Of course, you should never smoke while handling gas, or when it’s in the vicinity. Also, gasoline should be stored only in containers designed for that purpose, and only in small amounts. (In fact, most towns and cities set limits to how much gas you’re allowed to store in your garage.) Gasoline should always be stored where children can’t reach it, even if you don’t have children. Another precaution is to avoid dispensing gasoline inside the garage because of the fumes. And don’t ever dispose of gas by pouring it down a drain, in your yard, down a toilet, or down a sewer. It’s a very hazardous substance, so check with your local authorities on proper disposal methods for your area. These same precautions also apply to kerosene, and always remember – you should never mix gasoline and kerosene, or gasoline and diesel oil together, as the combination is extremely combustible. And just like in the house, there should be a working smoke detector in the garage, and it should be checked for working batteries and proper function on a regular basis.
Engines and gasoline aren’t the only safety concerns in the garage. Cars themselves can be dangerous, even when moving at extremely slow speeds, such as pulling into or out of the garage. Always make sure that the path is clear of people and obstructions. When backing up, it is recommended to have someone outside the vehicle to ensure that no children or anyone else suddenly cuts into your path. Rearview and side mirrors are great, but with standard car mirrors, you can never see everything behind you clearly. If you’re backing up alone, and you’re not absolutely sure that nothing is behind you, do not back up. Better safe than sorry, and a few seconds to check things out won’t really slow you down much. This is one of the reasons small children should never be in a garage alone. To prevent this, you’ll want to put a simple lock on the door between the garage and the main part of the house, that adults can reach but children can’t.
Most people use garages for storing things, and many of these things are dangerous. Paint, pesticides, fuel additives, weed killer, paint thinner, etc., are all very dangerous and should be treated with the same care you’d use for storing gasoline. They should be in tightly sealed containers, which are made for that purpose, and stored out of the reach of children. If not needed, they should be disposed of properly, as there’s no reason to keep dangerous substances if you have no need for them. To do so is only to invite trouble. And again, you may not have children yourself, but neighborhood kids can and do wander into open garages, invited or not. Your garage should be set up so that no child can get into anything dangerous, ever. Tools should be hung on the wall, and if necessary, secured, especially sharp or heavy instruments. Not only is this much safer, but it makes them easier to find when you need them. Power tools, such as table saws and other woodworking equipment, require extra safety measures. Only the people operating the tools should be in the garage when these are being used. When not in use, they should be disabled or locked so that only authorized persons can turn them on, and blades should be securely covered, or removed and put away. Any electrical outlets that aren’t regularly used should be turned off at the breaker box, if possible. And never leave rags that have had gas or other chemicals come in contact with them lying around, as these are fire hazards themselves. It’s best to keep the garage as clean, tidy, and organized as possible. Don’t leave things on the floor that don’t belong there, and keep all walkways and driving areas clear. A clean and organized garage is a safe garage. None of these safety measures take much time or money, and they can play a big part in preventing injuries and saving lives
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