Salt Lake City 11/3/2012 5:03:09 AM
News / Health & Wellness

5 Tips for Keeping Your Garage Clean & Safe

Automatic garage doors are complex pieces of equipment that nevertheless allow home owners to keep their vehicles safe from all kinds of inclement weather. As long as you use caution when in and around the garage, you should be able to maintain a safe environment for your tools and heavy equipment. Should something break, or your garage door doesn’t work, you’ll want to be careful about how you use the garage, and avoid using it until it gets fixed. If you have problems, or need a new garage installed, you can find some great garage door repair services in Salt Lake City.

Avoid Flammable Materials

Home owners should always begin with an examination of the garage itself. Though certain cleaning supplies can rather safely be kept in the structure, flammable chemicals should always be removed from the room, especially if the garage is used for welding projects. When these chemicals come into direct contact with even a small flame, an explosion can occur. For this reason, it is much better to keep flammable chemicals in an outside shed or some other area that sees less foot traffic.

Do Not Run Vehicles in a Closed Garage

Most individuals will likely recognize that running a vehicle in a sealed garage can quickly lead to danger. Cars and trucks emit carbon monoxide, which is normally harmlessly released into the atmosphere. When the garage is closed, however, this noxious gas will have nowhere to go. It will build up to unhealthy levels and can lead to sickness or even death. The gas is doubly dangerous because it is odorless and colorless, two properties that make it extremely hard to detect. To keep the rest of the family safe, automobiles should always be pulled outside before they are allowed to idle for any extended period of time.

Fix Broken Components

If one of the hinges on the garage door has become degraded, there is always a chance that the door itself could come crashing down without notice. In fact, broken components should be repaired without delay. If men and women notice that an electrical wire has come loose from its usual location, they will need to deal with it immediately. Quite serious shocks can occur if the electrical components of the door are not tucked away properly. Because electricity itself can be so dangerous, home owners should rely on the professionals to fix the problem as soon as they have a chance.

Watch for Toddlers and Pets

When backing out of the garage, drivers should look carefully for both toddlers and pets that may be lingering near the car. Youngsters can sometimes get loose from the house and run after their parents as they are heading out on errands. By ensuring that toddlers are a safe distance away from the vehicle, parents can avoid tragedies.

Pets also sometimes have a knack for resting or sleeping in the shade of vehicle tires. Though dogs will likely move before the automobile is revved up, cats are usually a bit tougher to look out for. Families who own multiple cats that are frequently outdoors should check underneath the vehicle before they head off to school or work. 

Safety First

Ultimately, safety should always be important in the maintenance of the garage doors themselves. For garage door repair Salt Lake City Utah has a lot to offer. Men and women should of course hire a company that is licensed and certified. When a component breaks and the door does not move up and down on its own, families will need to bring in some repairmen before the next big weather event. With the expertise they are known for, contract workers can fix the problem and have the door back up and running in no time.