Americans use their garages for much more than just parking their cars, and storage use is the number one choice! While it makes sense to stash things in there, out of the way and unseen because it is more convenient to get there than it is in the attic, some items should not be kept in the garage.

• Propane tanks should be stored outside, on a flat surface, away from anything that can spark. If you have tanks inside your garage, and the valve begins to leak, it can be deadly.
• Any cloth or rags with oily residue should be treated with great care, as they can spontaneously combust. Check out this quick video from This Old House that shows how to treat rags used for woodwork, and soak cloths used for car repair in a bucket with dishwashing liquid and hot water, rinse, and wash in your machine or toss them in the garbage.
• Paint is highly flammable, and can be rendered useless in a garage, where temperatures can be extreme. Look for the manufacturer’s recommended temperatures on the can, and store it accordingly.
• Firewood is an attractant for pests, and as convenient as it may be to keep it close by in the garage, it is best to keep most of it at least twenty feet from the house. Bring in only what is needed for a day.
• Canned food should be stored at room temperature, so if you find your pantry overflowing, donate extra to a food pantry. Keeping it in fluctuating temperatures can cause spoilage or affect the quality of the food.
• Refrigerators not manufactured to stand extreme temperatures can fail in a garage, leaving you with a mess and ruined food. Purchase a refrigerator made for garage use, or add a garage kit to an existing unit that will maintain the temperature outside the unit in winter. Deep freezers should be kept out of direct sunlight, or at least in the coolest area of your garage.

Cleaning out the garage can be a monumental task, but if you have any of these items stored there, you need to get them out and stored properly. Keeping your home and family safe should be the highest priority, and no amount of hard work is worth the risk of losing either.

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