Ever question how common fires occur in garages? Read more to find out the details and make sure your home is protected.
You like this look? This garage door is an Eastman E-21, 9' x 8', Moka Brown doors with Ice White overlays, 8 lite Panoramic windows.
Many things factor into protecting a garage from fires. However, it’s essential to think about it. Garage fires happen every year, leading to property loss, injuries small and large, and some deaths.
This article will help you prevent fires in the garage. We’ll talk about what makes fires happen, what to do once a fire is happening, and provide other tips.
How Do Most Garage Fires Start?
Before we give you guidance on how to prevent fires in your garage, there’s something else you should be aware of. First, you should know how garages catch fire. This can be a complex answer that you might not expect.
As with any fire, one in the garage can be dangerous. It can cause property destruction, create injuries, and more. If the garage attaches to your home, you risk it also catching on fire. Caution should be used to avoid fires in the garage since so much is at risk.
Wondering whether many house fires originate in the garage? They do not. However, fires that do start there often get serious quickly since fewer people spend time in the garage to notice the flames and smoke.
Keep flames out of your garage for your safety. Image: Pixabay
How a Typical Fire Begins in a Garage
It would be impossible to list all of the ways a garage door fire starts, but four are the most common. We’ll share some ways a fire can start so you can take steps to prevent them.
● Propane Tanks
No matter the weather or season, propane tanks should not be stored in garages. A bad seal or a leak can lead to a disaster. It only takes a single spark for the air to ignite and create an explosion that changes your life.
Fire officials recommend storing tanks elsewhere for safety reasons. Consider purchasing fewer tanks or using another space for storage. This will prevent a potential explosion that could spell disaster for your home and garage.
● Flammable Liquids
Flammable cleaning solutions, gasoline, and oil should also stay out of the garage. While not inherently dangerous, these liquids will ignite in the presence of sparks and flames. In addition, the vapor can catch on fire.
Place these liquids in a safer location like a shed. They should always be in an appropriate container and labeled with the contents.
● Clutter
Lots of people end up with an accumulation of junk in the garage. This can fill up the space with items you can’t bear to throw away. The issue is that additional clutter makes it easier for a fire to spread.
Taking time to declutter is the best option here. Throw out junk, donate nice things, or gift belongings to people who would use them.
● Electrical Issues
Electrical malfunctions are another common reason that people experience garage fires. Adding too many appliances to an old electrical outlet or using faulty circuits can create a fire.
Avoid this by only using extension cords on a short-term basis. Make sure the garage door opener is connected to a wall socket. If you own an older home, bring in a professional to make sure the wiring is safe.
Tips for Avoiding Garage Fires
Preventing fires is important since it’s much easier than dealing with a fire that has already been started. However, knowing the steps to take in a fire is also essential. Garage fires can quickly spread and may create more serious injuries than home fires in other locations.
The first prevention strategy is simply adding a smoke alarm to the garage. Then follow the two steps below:
● Make sure that your garage has a heat alarm. If it does not, this should be installed immediately.
● Be sure that you either have a garage fire extinguisher or one nearby in the rest of the home.
Are you wondering, “Can fires be lit in a garage?” It’s best to avoid doing so. When flames are present, it makes fires a possibility. This is why you should avoid using a fire pit in your garage or other enclosed spaces.
Of course, safety is the most important thing. If you see flames that you cannot control, get out of the garage. Instead, call emergency services to assist you with the issue.
You like this look? This garage door is a Standard+ Shaker-Flat CC, 9' x 7', Black, Clear windows.
The 4 Most Important Steps When Dealing with Fire Damage
If there is a fire in the garage that leads to damage, there are several things you need to do. But first, make sure you are prepared. Give yourself time to breathe and calm down before you move forward.
1. Speak with Your Insurance Company
For those with home insurance, contact them as soon as you can to let them know about the fire. Check what the insurance covers so you get the appropriate payment. All policies are unique so this is the first step to understanding what to do next.
Typically, your policy will cover the pre-fire value of the home. However, if the home is lost in a fire, many companies will settle. This involves paying the amount on the policy for the home and the belongings that were inside when the fire happened.
Avoid fire trucks rushing to your location. Image: Pixabay.
2. Make Sure To Get a Professional Inspection
While the insurance company may use an adjuster to inspect the home following a fire, they shouldn’t be the only inspector you use. The company will often make a decision that is best for them and not you and your family. Bringing in a professional of your own will let you learn more about the upcoming repairs.
The inspection following a fire should look at the structure, interior walls, roof, framing, siding, heating systems, plumbing, and concrete or stucco.
3. Choose Between Repairing and Rebuilding
Following the inspection, you’ll need to decide whether to bring down the garage for rebuilding or repairing the damage. Your options may be limited based on the insurance policy. Get insight into what the process for cleanup is, as well as the pricing for soot removal and cleanup, water damage and cleanup, and restoration for smoke damage.
4. Bring in a Professional Expert
Once you’ve made important decisions about the garage door, look into what contractors you’d like to use. The person you select should be experienced and capable of handling insurance companies.
How To Replace Your Garage Door
You like this look? This garage door is a Standard+ Classic MIX, 9' x 7', Desert Sand.
If the garage needs to be rebuilt, one of the things that you’ll need to determine is the type of garage door that should be installed. Once that’s out of the way, you’ll want to get into considering your budget, thinking about the size of the door you want, and choose whether to go with an attached or a detached option.
For those who aren’t sure, make sure you know your options in terms of choosing a garage that houses one, two, or more vehicles. You should also look into what options you have with a garage door opener. In some cases, they will come with different technology like cameras or two-way audio.
Keeping your garage at a temperature that is comfortable for you is also vital. Two things should be considered when thinking about this factor:
● Is the garage able to efficiently reflect light? The more light is reflected, the easier it is to keep the inside cool during warm summer months.
● Can you trust the construction of the door to stop the wind? Work with a garage door professional to find out. Feeling the wind through the garage door is the last thing you want.
Choosing the right door involves considering style, your budget, and what looks great on your house.
Are You Ready to Install a New Garage Door?
You like this look? This garage door is a Regal Shaker-Flat Long, 9' x 7', Black Ice, window layout: Left-side Harmony.
Contact a garage door expert in your neighborhood. The people who work there can provide you with options that meet your budget and take into account your preferences.
Cliff's Overhead Doors makes this a breezed by providing you with an email quotation.
Don’t know what style of home you have? View the 3 styles to get a better idea of what kind of garage door will look amazing on your home.
Give us a quick phone call at 519-631-1507, and we’ll make sure you know all the best options for your situation.
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For those who enjoy apps, take the time to use our Design Centre. You can look at various garage door styles or upload them to images of your own home.
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Lots of gorgeous residential garage doors are waiting for you here. It comes down to seeing what other people are choosing and deciding which options look the best to you.
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