Garage Safety

Garage fires tend to spread farther and cause more injuries and property loss than fires that start in other areas of the home.

Get in the “KNOW” about garage safety!

Garage Safety Tips

Many garage fires start from unattended cooking. Never cook inside your garage. Do not use propane burners or barbecue inside the garage. It is not only a fire hazard, but a carbon monoxide hazard.

Never use a propane heater inside the garage. It creates carbon monoxide (CO) which is an invisible poisonous gas that can lead to sickness and even death

Never warm up your vehicle in the garage. It creates CO which can make you ill, it can even lead to death.

Never smoke inside the garage or home; encourage smokers to smoke outside and to use deep ashtrays or metal containers to properly butt out.

A clean, tidy garage is a more fire safe garage.
Reduce the chance of fire by removing leaves and trash from carports and garages.

Store oil, gasoline, paints, propane and varnishes in a shed away from your home.
Store gasoline in a tightly capped, labelled and approved containers. The maximum quantity you can store is 30 litres.
Keep items that can burn on shelves away from appliances.

Always use a licensed electrical contractor to inspect and install additional circuits, outlets and to complete any repairs to your electrical system.
Avoid overloading a circuit; consult a licensed electrician to determine if additional outlets, or circuits are required in your garage.
Extension cords bring temporary power to areas without an outlet. They are not designed for long-term use or to replace permanent wiring.
Protect yourself from shock; install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) on all outdoor outlets including those in your garage.
If appliances, tools, or equipment spark, overheat or stall, unplug them and have them checked by a dealer or qualified appliance service technician.

Avoid emptying smoking materials directly into the garbage. Soak cigarette butts and ashes with water first and then discard them into the garbage can. Dispose of smoking materials, such as cigarette butts, in a deep and sturdy ashtray.
Dispose of oily and solvent-wet rags in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid.
Tape the ends of all rechargeable and 9-volt batteries before disposal. Contact the Region of Peel for information on their battery recycling program.
Frequently dispose of flammable and combustible materials that are no longer needed or used.

All EV charging systems must carry an official mark or label of a recognized Canadian certification or evaluation agency.
Ensure you have a dedicated circuit to charge your EV to avoid using too much power too quickly from your home.
Hire a licensed electrical contractor with an ECRA/ESA electrical contracting license.
Ask your Licensed Electrical Contractor to file a notification of work with the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) before starting the installation of charging system. Make sure your electrical panel can handle the extra load. If your panel needs an upgrade, contact your local utility.
If locating the charging system outside, ensure the system is rated for outdoor use.
Ask your licensed electrical contractor to provide a Certificate of Acceptance once the work is completed and accepted. Your home insurance provider may ask you for it.
Keep charging cable off the floor to avoid a tripping hazard and to maintain the cord life.
Additional information: ESAsafe.com/EV
Be aware that battery fires may initially show from under the vehicle.
EV’s are quieter than gas cars. Double-check to see if the vehicle is turned off at home, especially when parked in the garage.