While many people think of their garage as an annex to their home, rather than a part of their home, it is still a room that requires attention, maintenance, and care. Just like any other part of a home, a garage requires a certain amount of upkeep, and if you fail to take the proper precautions and steps, you may run into issues. Below are 5 of the biggest problems you may encounter if you neglect your garage:
Clutter
This may not seem like a serious issue, but not only will clutter in your garage limit the usefulness of the space and make it extremely difficult and unsafe to park, it can also make your garage a dangerous place for your family. When you allow junk to pile up, it may result in unstable stacks of clutter, or even a fire. It’s important to keep the clutter in your garage to a minimum in order to maximize the effectiveness of the area and to keep it as safe as possible, for both your car and your family.
READ MORE: Best Garage Storage and Organization Ideas
Fire
There are many common items that are stored in a garage that make it a place highly susceptible to fire. From the gasoline in your car to other chemicals in your appliances to any flammable materials that may leak, if you’re not paying attention to what you’re storing in your garage, all it takes is a small spark and your entire home could go up in flames.
Garage Door
You don’t typically think of a garage door as something that could be unsafe, however, you need to make sure your garage door is working properly and has the proper safety cables in place. You also want to check that the cables and springs are working properly. This will ensure there’s no chance of your garage door closing on kids, pets, or even your car. It’s a good idea to have a professional come out to inspect your garage door and make sure everything is working safely and correctly.
READ MORE: What are Garage Door Springs
Carbon Monoxide
For those who have a garage that’s attached to their home, CO2 is something that you should be wary of. This odorless gas can get into your home without you knowing and is very dangerous and even life threatening. It’s a great idea to install carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home so that this is one thing you don’t have to worry about.
Things left on the floor
Because of the nature of what a garage is used for, there’s always a chance of hazardous items ending up on the floor. Whether there’s a leak from your car that someone could slip on, or a nail left over from a DIY project that someone could step on, if you don’t carefully monitor your garage, there’s a serious chance of injury. It’s important to continually inspect your garage and clean up thoroughly after a project to ensure that nothing dangerous is left around that may cause an injury later on.