Garage Storage Safety Tips

10/8/2018 (Permalink)

Garage Storage Safety Tips

  If you are like my wife and I you tend to use your garage as a STORE-ALL area.  Simplified; if it doesn’t belong in the house – it must belong in the garage – RIGHT? Wrong – here are some tips for what items are to be safely stored in your garage.  Some are obvious; some less so.

 Garage Safe Items – these will include lawn care tools and equipment, gardening supplies, plastic bins for storage. Hoses (after draining), sports equipment and of course your cars or vehicle.

 Items Unsafe for the Garage – Extra fuel – this is best stored in an outside shed due to the possibilities of spills, leaks or combustion. 

 Paint or home improvement chemicals should also be kept outside of the home and in some cases they are sensitive to varying temperatures and may become combustible as well.

 Unused Furniture can be subject to humidity and moisture which can warp wood and damage fabric.  Rodents and unwanted pests welcome such objects as homes or nesting places.  Donating old furniture to those less fortunate is a great gesture and can also offer a tax credit.

 Store your old clothing in the house in a sealed container. Typically, the attic or the back of a closet is the best place for such items. Any such items left in the garage will tend to absorb fumes, dust and tend to attract pests.

 Perishable items such as FOOD for human consumption or pets should never be left in an uncontrolled climate or area. Temperature swings will increase the rate of spoilage and such items will attract rodents or vermin.

 Keep your fragile and valuable items such as photographs, artwork and electronics in a climate controlled area.  If it is us personal value – it should not be in the garage.  

 If unsafely stored items have caused a harmful or potentially harmful situation in any area of your home – please call us at SERVPRO of Sussex County today at 302-856-9768 and we will be happy to inspect the area for you and offer proper advice on remediation.