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Hidden Dangers at Home
Most of us keep a lot of stuff in our garages. We accumulate so much over the years that we often no longer have room for our cars.
"Where does this go?"
"I don't know. Let's just stick it in the garage for now."
Aside from the family car and Christmas decorations, your garage is home to a mother lode of chemicals and contraptions that can cause you serious harm. So, before it turns into a little shop of horrors, why not spend some time this weekend securing your garage and averting catastrophe?
The Most Serious Risks are in Plain Sight
Pesticides, paint, adhesives and automobile fluids should be stored in their original containers in locked cabinets or high on shelves away from small children. Do not pour them into food containers because this can mislead children into thinking they're edible. Repurposed containers can also leak and cause serious burns, respiratory problems - even fires. Road salt can get on the paws of your cat or dog and cause diarrhea and vomiting, if ingested. One of the most dangerous culprits is antifreeze because of its sweet smell and taste, which can be tempting to pets. Half a cup can kill a dog; just one tablespoon can kill a cat.
Store Toys and Barbecue Grills Carefully
Toys in the garage should be kept in bins about six inches off the floor to avoid contamination should any chemicals spill. Just make sure they are within arm's reach so that children are not tempted to crawl on unsteady boxes to get to them.
Homeowners often store their gas grills in the garage without thinking about the propane tanks attached to them. Propane is a highly combustible gas that, if leaked, can form an invisible blanket on your garage floor, ready to ignite with the first spark from a light switch or static electricity. Keep propane gas tanks at least 25 feet from the house and garage.
We all need the extra storage space a garage offers. Just be smart about what you store, and where, to keep your loved ones safe.
