Bottom Line: Garage Safety is an Important Message

By Meri-K Appy
August 2006

Did you start the summer off with a well-intentioned list of home and yard projects you planned to accomplish, like I did? Somehow I always think the longer days are going to mean I’ll have more time to get everything done. And yet…well, you know how it goes.

One of the universal summer projects Americans plan each season is cleaning the garage. And it’s a good thing too. Because our garages are one of the most dangerous places around our homes.

If you haven’t planned to include garage safety messages in your community injury-prevention outreach, now’s the perfect time to do so.

August 8-14 is Garage Safety Week. The Home Safety Council is partnering with GarageTek, the industry leader in the garage organization market, to educate consumers about garage injury risk during this week.

It’s a good message, and one we hope you’ll share with your community. According to GarageTek, 94 percent of homeowners store potentially dangerous items in their garages, such as chemicals, sharp tools and general clutter.

From poisoning to burn injuries and from cuts to falls, the garage presents many dangers, some of them hidden. Keeping the garage and tool shed well organized, properly storing hazardous products, and arranging tools carefully can go a long way toward preventing harm to people, especially children.

Please offer the following safety information to your community during Garage Safety Week and year-round:

• If you have children, do not permit them to play in the garage. Supervise them closely when they access the garage with you.

Safe Storage

• Make sure poisonous products such as pesticides, automotive fluids, lighter fluid, paint thinner, antifreeze and turpentine have child-resistant caps, are clearly labeled and are stored in a locked cabinet out of sight and reach of children.
• Store shovels, rakes, lawn chairs, bikes and other sharp and large objects on the wall and out of high traffic areas.
• Arrange pool chemicals apart from other items, and according to the manufacturers’ directions to prevent combustion and potential poisoning exposures.
• Store gasoline in small quantities only and in a proper, tightly sealed container labeled “gasoline.”
• Do not keep gasoline in a garage with an appliance that contains a pilot light.

Garage Organization

• Properly secure shelving units to the wall, and make sure they are not overloaded.
• Always store heavier items closest to the ground.
• Use a sturdy step stool with hand rails when climbing is necessary.
• Organize all items in designated, easy-to-reach places.
• Keep floors and steps clear of clutter and immediately clean up grease and spills.
• Keep children’s toys in one area and within their reach to prevent children from exploring potentially dangerous areas.
• Use bright lights at the top and bottom of stairs.
• Make sure your garage is well lit. Use the maximum safe wattage in light fixtures. (Maximum wattage is typically posted inside light fixtures.)
• Install secure handrails or banisters on both sides that extend the entire length of the stairs.
• Clean garage of dust, webs and trash, which can interfere with the electrical system.
• When purchasing or remodeling a home with a garage, ensure that the automatic door is equipped with an auto-reverse feature. Test the garage door safety device by placing a paper towel roll beneath the door as it closes. If the door opens quickly, then your family and pets will be protected from bodily entrapment.

Download more free community safety information and teaching tools to share with your community:

Children’s Garage Safety Activity Sheet

Garage Safety Web Site

Garage Safety Checklist