What to Do If Your Garage Door Catches on Fire

There’s no doubt about it; the home garage is one of the most dangerous places in the home, and not only because it’s such a large opening. The fact is that most homeowners will choose to store their most flammable materials within the garage, knowingly or unknowingly. Unfortunately, this is often the cause of many garage door fires. So, what should you do in the event of a fire? The following includes a list of things to do during an emergency and how to prevent them from occurring in the first place.

Procedures During a Garage Fire

It’s never something a homeowner wants to ever think about, but it’s necessary. No matter the cause of the fire, it is important to understand the steps you need to take to get it under control. The first thing is to avoid opening the garage door itself. It’s natural to want to open it, but you are merely spreading the flames faster. Next is to call your local fire department as soon as possible. While they are on their way, you may utilize a fire extinguisher or high-power water hose to keep the flames at bay. It’s likely that you may not be able to extinguish the fire itself, but you can keep it from reaching dry areas such as your lawn or wooden-frame windows.

Taking Preventive Measures

The best way to fight a garage door fire is to prevent it from happening in the first place. You may be able to accomplish this by purchasing a garage door with a fire rating of at least 20 minutes. A garage repair Los Angeles company may be able to provide you with further information regarding fire ratings. It is also recommended not to keep any flammable liquids within your garage. Items such as gas and propane tanks should never be stored within an area with other high-flammable objects such as oil and sprays. Lastly, you may also be able to prevent accidents by unplugging any unused devices such as radios or power-tools.