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Stop Ignoring These Common Garage Hazards

June 02, 2022

Echoing most homeowners, the garage is one of the most overlooked spaces in the home property. That is likely because many treat the garage as a separate area. And which can be implied that homeowners do not subject the garage to the same level of cleanliness and organization as they do inside their living spaces. However, that mindset should not last long. The garage is a vital part of your home, and one that actually sees many activities and foot traffic. So, it is of utmost importance that safety hazards be taken care of. The garage deserves every bit of attention as it should. To start off with the renewed vision and mindset regarding the garage, it is best to know and identify the most common garage safety hazards.
Electrical Issues
First on the list is the faulty wiring. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the leading cause of garage fires is electrical malfunctions. When fires start in the garage, it is particularly dangerous as it goes undetected while spreading rapidly due to the flammable contents stored in the area. Other electrical issues that are also known as safety hazards include old and faulty electrical circuits, improper extension cords usage, overloaded electrical outlets, wrong wattage of garage materials like the light bulbs, and more. It is best to consult an electrician and have him thoroughly check all your wirings, especially if the wirings are already old, and there is a presence of rodents in the garage.
Improper Storage of Hazardous Materials
While there may be no other place to store combustible liquids and other hazardous materials other than the garage, you should always store them properly. These materials can easily cause fire risks. A great way to store them is to put them in tightly sealed containers that are properly marked or color coded. Place them in areas in the garage that have good ventilation, and away from heat sources like direct sunlight, heaters, appliances, and other machines. Also, keep them out of reach from your children or pets.
Neglected Garage Floor
The garage floor is one of the most used parts of the area, which exposes itself to the wear and tear, especially if you use the garage as a vehicle parking and workshop activity area. Leaked oil or gasoline from vehicles, melted snow and ice, uneven cement flooring, and even clutter on the floor all contribute as slipping and tripping hazards. What you can do is add epoxy floor coatings or of the same materials such as textured surfaces that are highly resistant to gas, oil, chemicals, and other spills.
Garage Clutter
Not only are the cluttered items in the garage an eyesore, they greatly pose you with injuries and other risks. Dumping one pile over the other will not only subject your stored items to damage but can also fuel any fire as combustible materials, heat, and maybe liquid spillage is just inches away. Organizing your garage can be a daunting task. For one, you cannot simply give up your vehicle space to make way for more items to be stored on your garage floor and squeeze in a work area for your projects. And two, having a limited space can easily work your brains out on how to properly design the garage in such a way that you can fully maximize every square foot available. So, trying to fit all the stuff that you have and sharing it with your car and workshop can mean a lot of calculation and creativity. The smart solution for all your woes is installing an overhead garage storage rack. By optimizing the ceiling space and converting it into a storage space would be the perfect solution to decluttering the garage. The unused overhead space can become your haven to store important stuff that needs a new home outside your living space. In turn, so much valuable floor space is already freed to maintain a clean and organized garage. One such amazing storage is the Fleximounts GR48F Basic 4′ X 8′ Overhead Garage Storage Rack. The heavy cold-rolled 14 gauge steel construction ensures long-lasting use and provides safety loading up to 600 lbs with ⅜” plywood or thicker. The high-quality screws provided in the package are thicker than industry standards and have gone through strict tests. The rack is also height adjustable to suit your needs. It can go from 22 inches to 40 inches dropdown and provides up to 105 cu. This is beyond comparable to other racks available in the market with a maximum of 33 inches ceiling drop down and a maximum of 88 cu. ft. of storage. The dimensions of the GR48F are 96 x 48 x 22-40 in. Moreover, the GR48F Basic 4′ X 8′ Overhead Garage Storage Rack offers installation practicality as it can be both for parallel and perpendicular installation. In either case, you only have to make sure that the vertical posts are 48 inches apart. If your garage’s ceiling is finished with a drywall, you can use a stud finder to locate the ceiling joists. The rack consists of four corner triangles and two frame reinforcement bars. The rack is a specially designed vertical post that allows for embedded deck mounting. And for added peace of mind and security, it has multiple mounting points for attaching the deck and frame firmly with tapping screws. This Fleximounts overhead storage rack provides space for flexibility and creativity as you can customize the color of the wooden decks or even better, recycle the old wooden boards that you have lying around the garage or lawn. But note that the recommended size is 4’x8’ and has a thickness of at least ⅜”. Also, you can opt to choose Fleximounts wire grids as a base or deck for the rack. Either way, it provides sturdy storage for all your unused and seasonal items. Do not worry about the installation as it is easy to comprehend with the installation instructions and template that go with the package. And you do not need to be a construction expert to do such a garage project.