Garage & Tool Safety
Take control of your garage
Starting with the car and ending with gardening tools, there is virtually nothing safe about the garage. Most of us are relatively unconcerned about this adjunct to our homes despite being one of its most dangerous areas. However, if you wonder what you might do to make it safer, the following suggestions may help.
Kids in the garage
The garage should be off limits to toddlers and very young children unless you plan to childproof it with the same care as the house itself. This may not be practical because of the types of equipment and materials we typically store, so it's best to call a spade a spade and designate the garage a kid-free zone. Period.
That said, don't store chemicals, tools, and equipment that no longer serve any useful purpose. Purchase only for immediate use and only as much as you need. Don't stockpile. If there is something leftover, dispose of the container and remaining contents according to the package instructions. Always unplug tools when they are not in use. Use a locking cabinet for materials you absolutely don't want anyone else to handle. And even if stored in a locked cabinet, make sure all chemicals, paint thinner, and gasoline has child resistant caps.
Educate your child to understand that the garage is off limits. It doesn't hurt for them to understand from a very early age that your car, tools, and other things are dangerous and not to be touched without your permission or supervision.
Chemicals and fuels
Many of us store too many household chemicals, garden products, and other hazardous materials in the garage, often without giving it much thought. We may childproof our home from cellar to attic, but the garage or outbuildings may remain untouched. This poses a problem not only for protecting children, but in a disaster such as an earthquake can pose other risks.
Many of these products may not even be necessary. Before purchasing a pesticide, herbicide, or toxic chemical compound, find out if there are environmentally safe alternatives instead. Consider going organic in the garden and using "green" products around the house. Every chemical compound we use ends up in the waste stream one way or another so reducing your use of toxic chemicals is a good way to not only protect your family but the planet too.
If you find there is no practical alternative to the hazardous products you need to use, be careful in use, storage, and disposal. Many of us are aware that mixing bleach and ammonia results in toxic chlorine gas that can kill. In the garage, hazardous materials can mix to form equally deadly compounds. Therefore, it's important to make sure everything is stored in unbreakable, leak-proof containers that are clearly labeled. In addition,
- read the labels and check manufacturer's notes regarding potentially toxic interactions with other chemicals.
- learn what to do in the case of a spill.
- store paints, gas, or other combustible materials away from heat sources.
All chemicals and hazardous materials that have outlived their usefulness must be disposed of responsibly. Your local garbage company, city, or state environmental agency can provide information about hazardous waste disposal resources. Never pour hazardous materials down the drain. If you are caught—and we sincerely hope you would be—you could be subject to fines and other penalties.
Tool safety
Like the kitchen, the garage is home to a variety of tools. Like kitchen tools, well-maintained tools work better and more effectively than dull tools. They are also much safer.
- Keep metal blades bright with regular cleaning and sharpening. Maintain wood handles with annual oiling.
- Store tools where they are easily accessible, but out of the way. There are a number of useful wall storage organizers available that allow efficient, safe storage that are ideal for garages.
- Unplug power tools when you are finished using them. Store them in the same location with the heaviest tools nearest the floor in locked cabinets if necessary.
- Organize tools according to purpose. It's safer to keep related equipment together as well as easier organizationally.
Garage doors
- Inspect and test the garage door regularly. If it is automatic, verify that security features such as the infrared beam are properly aligned and that it reverses when something blocks the beam.
- Not only will you prevent theft, but keeping the garage door down and locked prevents others from getting into materials or equipment they shouldn't.
General garage safety tips
- Keep your garage clean and organized. Slips and falls occur when traffic areas are blocked and things are not put away.
- Make sure your garage has adequate lighting.
- Declutter your garage. Stuff that doesn't have a place in the house often finds its way to the garage effectively transforming your car and yard storage into a storage facility. This can be hazardous to your health.
- Use shelving that is firmly fixed to the walls and store the heaviest items on the lower shelves. Flimsy unstable shelves can collapse and it's too easy to pull something sharp down on top of you.
- Keep a fire extinguisher and first aid kit in the garage where they are easily and quickly accessible.
- Never store oily rags which can spontaneously combust and burn the whole shebang down.
If you need specialized storage to get organized, a carpenter can help you design and build cabinetry that will help you get control of your garage once and for all. Find a qualified pro at ContractorNexus .
