Garage and Basement Fire Safety

Garage & Basement Fire Tips
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• Store oil, gasoline, paints, propane and varnishes in a shed away from your home.
• Keep items that can burn on shelves away from appliances.
• Plug only one charging appliance into an outlet.
• Don’t use an extension cord when charging an appliance.
• Install:
  • A 20-minute fire-rated door that is self-closing and self-latching from the garage into the house.
  • A ceiling made with ⅝-inch Type X gypsum board (or the equivalent) if you have living space above the garage.
  • A wall with ½-inch gypsum board (or the equivalent) if the wall attaches the garage to your home.
  • An attic hatch cover if you have attic access from the garage.
  • A heat alarm — not a smoke alarm — in your garage. The heat alarm will sound if the temperature rises too high.

​Did You Know? Facts about Garage Fires
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​Every year, there are 6,600 garage fires in homes that result in an average of:

• 30 deaths.
• 400 injuries.
• $457 million in property loss.

Of these fires, 93 percent occurred in one- and two-family homes.
Electrical malfunction is the leading cause of garage fires. These fires can start because of shorts in wires, damaged wires, and overloading electrical outlets.

Source for Content: National Fire Protection Association and U.S. Fire Administration