There are two purposes for this article. First as an InterNACHI certified inspector with Bloodhound Home Inspection Services, I’d like you to take steps to keep your family safe and keep your garage free from fire. There are many ways this can be done, some of which are described below. Secondly, garage fires do happen in the Mahoning Valley, and I’d like you to make sure that a fire cannot not easily spread to the rest of your home. While you can perform many of the recommendations in this article yourself, it is a good idea to have Bloodhound Home Inspection Services inspect to make sure your home is safe from a garage fire.

Why do many garages in the Youngstown/Warren Ohio area pose a fire hazard?

• Where would you more than likely work on a car or do welding projects? These activities usually require working with all sorts of flammable materials.
• Water heaters and boilers are sometimes stored in garages, and they can create sparks that may ignite fumes or fluids. Car batteries can also spark under certain conditions.
• Fluids, such as oil and gasoline can drip from cars. These fluids may collect unnoticed and eventually ignite, given the proper conditions.
• Flammable liquids, such as gasoline, motor oil and paint are commonly stored in garages. Some other examples are brake fluid, varnish, paint thinner and lighter fluid.
  

Here are some tips that can help prevent garage fires and their spreading:

• If the garage has an access to the attic, make sure a fire rated hatch covers this opening.
• The walls and ceiling should be fire-rated. Unfortunately, it can be difficult for untrained homeowners to tell if their walls are Type X fire-rated gypsum. Bobby Hamilton, an InterNACHI certified home inspector can examine the walls and ceiling to make sure they are adequate fire barriers. 
• The floor should be clean and clear of clutter. Loose papers, matches, oily rags, and other potentially  flammable items are extremely dangerous if they are strewn about the garage floor.
• Do not overload electrical receptacles and use proper wattage on light bulbs.
• Tape down all cords and wires so they are not twisted or accidentally yanked.

If there's a door that connects the garage to the kitchen or other living area, consider taking these steps:

• Don't install a pet door in the door! Flames can spread into the living area through a pet door, especially if it’s made of plastic.
• Does the door have a window? Most doors in the Boardman Ohio area that Bloodhound Home Inspection Services have inspected don't have fire rated glass. 
• The door should be self-closing. While it may be inconvenient, especially while carrying groceries into the house from the car, doors should be self-closing. You never know when a fire will happen, and it would be unfortunate to accidentally leave the door open while a fire is starting in the garage.
• Check the joints and open spaces around the door. Are they tightly sealed? Any openings at all can allow dangerous fumes, such as carbon monoxide or gasoline vapor, to enter the living area. An InterNACHI inspector can recommend ways to seal the door so that fumes cannot enter the living area.

Concerning items placed on the floor, you should check for the following:

• Store your flammable liquids in clearly labeled, self-closing containers, and only in small amounts. Keep them away from heaters, appliances, pilot lights and other sources of heat or flame.

• Never store propane tanks indoors. If they catch fire, they can explode. Propane tanks are sturdy enough to be stored outdoors.

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