Did you know your garage is the second-most common place where house fires start? Every year, garage fires cause around $457 million in property damage across the US. Most of us use our garages as a catch-all storage space without thinking twice about what we’re keeping in there. The truth is, many everyday items we store in garages can be serious fire hazards. From flammable liquids to electrical issues, your garage might be a fire waiting to happen if you’re not careful.
Gasoline cans and other fuels pose major risks
That red plastic gas can sitting in the corner of your garage? It’s probably one of the biggest fire hazards in your home. Most people don’t think twice about keeping spare gasoline on hand for the lawnmower or snow blower. But gasoline gives off invisible vapors that can travel across your garage floor and ignite from something as small as a water heater pilot light or a spark from plugging in a power tool. Even a nearly empty container can be dangerous since it’s actually the vapors, not the liquid itself, that catch fire most easily.
The safest place to store gasoline and other fuels isn’t in your garage at all. Fire safety experts recommend keeping these items in a separate storage shed away from your home. If you must keep fuel in your garage, use only approved containers that seal completely, and keep them far away from any heat sources like water heaters, furnaces, or cars. Never store more than you actually need – that five-gallon can that’s been sitting there for years is just increasing your risk with no real benefit.
Paint and cleaning products can fuel flames
That collection of half-used paint cans might seem harmless, but many paints, stains, and finishes contain flammable chemicals that can catch fire easily. Oil-based paints are especially dangerous because they can ignite at relatively low temperatures. Even water-based latex paints often contain some flammable ingredients. The same goes for common cleaning products like furniture polish, some carpet cleaners, and anything in an aerosol can. These products can build up fumes in a closed garage, creating an invisible fire hazard.
If you need to keep these items, store them in their original containers with tight-fitting lids. Never mix products, as this can create dangerous chemical reactions. Consider using a metal storage cabinet specifically designed for flammable materials. Keep all these products away from your car, water heater, and any electrical equipment. A good rule of thumb: if the container has warnings about flammability, treat it with extreme caution. Better yet, only buy what you’ll use soon and dispose of leftover products properly at your local hazardous waste collection site.
Propane tanks should never be stored indoors
Many homeowners don’t realize that storing propane tanks in the garage is extremely dangerous. Those tanks from your grill or patio heater might seem sturdy, but they can leak invisible, odorless gas that builds up in enclosed spaces. Propane is heavier than air, so leaking gas will sink to your garage floor and spread. All it takes is one spark from starting your car or turning on a light switch, and you could have a serious explosion on your hands. This isn’t just a theoretical risk – propane tank storage in garages causes numerous home fires every year.
Safety experts are very clear on this one: propane tanks should always be stored outside. Period. Even “empty” tanks still contain enough propane to be dangerous. A safe storage spot would be an open-air area away from your home, protected from direct sunlight. If you have a propane tank cage or rack, that’s even better. In winter, resist the temptation to bring tanks inside where it’s warmer. Propane tanks are designed to handle cold weather, but they’re not designed to be stored in your home or attached garage where a leak could be catastrophic.
Oily rags can spontaneously combust
This one surprises many people, but it’s absolutely true: oily rags can catch fire all by themselves, with no spark or flame needed. When certain oils (especially linseed oil, stain, or paint thinner) dry on rags, they produce heat through a chemical reaction with air. In a pile where the heat can’t escape, the temperature can keep rising until the rags actually ignite. This process, called spontaneous combustion, has started countless garage fires. What makes it especially dangerous is that it can happen days after you’ve used the rags and forgotten about them.
The safe way to handle oily rags is to never leave them in a pile or stuffed in a trash can. Instead, spread them out flat on a non-flammable surface (like concrete) outside until they’re completely dry. Once dry, you can dispose of them. For rags soaked with linseed oil or similar products, the safest option is to put them in a metal container filled with water and a tight-fitting lid. Many fire departments recommend this method because it prevents oxygen from reaching the rags. Remember, this isn’t just about being extra careful – oily rags truly can and do start fires on their own.
Overloaded electrical outlets cause many fires
Look around your garage. How many things are plugged into the outlets? Many garage fires start because people treat garage outlets the same way they treat outlets inside the house. But garages often have fewer circuits, and we tend to use power-hungry tools and appliances there. That old refrigerator, the battery charger for your drill, the space heater you use in winter – together they can easily overload a circuit. Add in extension cords (especially the cheap, lightweight ones), power strips, and devices left plugged in all the time, and you’ve got the perfect setup for an electrical fire.
The safest approach is to plug only one high-wattage appliance into each outlet. Unplug tools and chargers when you’re not using them – they draw power and generate heat even when turned off. If you need more outlets, have an electrician install them properly rather than relying on power strips or extension cords. For battery-powered tools, never charge batteries longer than needed, and use a proper charging station instead of just plugging chargers into whatever outlet is handy. Remember that garage outlets should have GFCI protection (those outlets with the “test” and “reset” buttons) to prevent shocks and reduce fire risk.
Water heaters need space around them
Many homes have water heaters installed in the garage, which can be perfectly safe – if you follow some basic precautions. The problem is that people often treat the area around water heaters as prime storage space. They stack boxes of holiday decorations, old magazines, or other flammable items right up against the unit. Water heaters have heating elements and, in the case of gas models, open flames that can easily ignite anything stored too close. Even electric water heaters get hot enough to start a fire if flammable materials touch them or if dust and lint build up around them.
Fire safety experts recommend keeping at least three feet of clear space around your water heater – that means no boxes, no shelving, no gasoline cans, and definitely no oily rags. This space should be completely empty. If your garage is cramped, consider installing a protective enclosure around the water heater to keep items away from it. Also, make sure your water heater is properly elevated at least 18 inches off the garage floor if it’s a gas model. This height requirement is because gasoline vapors and other flammable fumes are heavier than air and collect near the floor, where they could be ignited by the water heater’s pilot light.
Car problems can spark garage fires
Your car itself can be a fire hazard in your garage. Cars contain fuel, oil, and numerous electrical components that can malfunction. Fluid leaks are especially dangerous – that small puddle of oil or fuel under your car is just waiting for a heat source to ignite it. Even a car that’s turned off isn’t completely safe. Hot exhaust parts can ignite items stored too close to the vehicle, and electrical problems can cause fires hours after you’ve parked. Battery issues are another common cause of garage fires, especially with older vehicles or improperly maintained batteries.
To reduce this risk, fix fluid leaks promptly rather than letting them drip onto your garage floor. Don’t store anything flammable near where you park, especially not directly under the car. Consider using a garage floor mat that can contain small leaks and make cleanup easier. If your car has been having electrical problems or making unusual noises, have it checked out immediately – don’t wait for a visible problem to develop. Finally, never leave a car running in an attached garage, even with the door open. The carbon monoxide can be deadly, and the heat and exhaust increase fire risk.
Clutter creates fuel for fires to spread fast
The most overlooked fire hazard in most garages is simply too much stuff. All those cardboard boxes of holiday decorations, old clothes, books, papers, and random items create what firefighters call “fuel load.” In a fire, each item becomes more fuel, helping flames spread faster and burn hotter. A cluttered garage gives a small fire – which might be easily contained in an empty space – plenty of material to grow into a major blaze. The packed items also block access to fire extinguishers and escape routes, making a fire more dangerous even if it starts small.
The solution is simple but not always easy: declutter your garage. Be ruthless about what you keep. Organize remaining items on metal shelving rather than in stacks of boxes on the floor. Leave clear pathways through the garage, especially to exits. Keep flammable items well separated from each other and from heat sources. Regular cleanup sessions not only reduce fire risk but also make your garage more usable. As a bonus, decluttering often reveals forgotten fire hazards like that old can of motor oil or those paint-soaked brushes you meant to dispose of properly.
Taking these fire safety steps might seem like extra work, but they’re worth the effort when you consider what’s at stake. Most garage fires spread to the rest of the home, putting your family and possessions at risk. Simple changes like proper storage of flammable materials, keeping electrical systems in good shape, and reducing clutter can dramatically cut your risk. While you’re making these improvements, consider installing a heat alarm in your garage (regular smoke detectors don’t work well there) and keeping a fire extinguisher rated for flammable liquids within easy reach.
