Organizing Your Garage for Safety

This may be difficult to hold yourself to, but the primary focus of keeping your garage safe should be to keep children out of it. Even with all tools and chemicals locked up and fastened securely, a kid can find endless opportunity for injury in the garage. Not only that, but kid-proofing your garage may make it more dangerous for you. For example, storing a circular saw out of reach on a shelf means that saw has the chance to fall on your head when you take it out.

The following is a simple list of rules to follow in order to keep your nicely organized garage as safe as can be.

Chemicals Try to purchase chemicals you need for immediate use only. Contact a local sanitation company for advice on how to dispose of unneeded chemicals. Store all chemicals in locking cabinets and separate them according to function and safety. Be knowledgeable about chemical combinations and possible byproducts and fumes. Most of this information should be listed on the bottle or can.

Purchase those chemicals that are solid in childproof bottles or cans only. Even if stored in locked cabinets, they can pose a danger in the event the door isn't locked or it is left out.

Know what to do in case of a chemical spill. This information is listed on the container.

Work with chemicals only in well-ventilated areas or outside.

Store chemicals away from heat sources. Whether they are combustible or not, this is a good idea. Some chemicals may have toxic fumes that are more likely to spread in warmer environments.

Tools Safety
Keep your tools sharp and clean according to the manufacturer's specifications. Sharp tools become twice as dangerous when they can't cut straight or cleanly.

Tools should be kept in an easy-to-reach place, but out of the way and out of reach of children. Hiding tools in difficult places away from children makes them hard to get at and potentially dangerous.

Power tools should always remain unplugged when not in use.

Tools such as soldering irons and hot glue guns must be cool before you leave the area.

Store your heaviest tools near the floor. A jostling of other things in a storage cabinet may cause them to come toppling down when the door opens.

Organize your tools according to purpose in a tool cabinet. This way you'll find things easier and be able to tell if someone has been using them.

General Garage Storage Safety
Keep your garage well-lit with many light sources. Try to eliminate shadowing that obstructs one's view.

Have plenty of garage shelves and keep the heaviest things on the bottom.

Dispose of or clean oily rags.