10 Garage Safety Rules That You Should Be Following Yesterday
You’re probably a great DIY mechanic, but even the best can slip up, and you don’t want to regret an accident that could have been easily avoided. So, here’s 10 tips for a safe and happy garage.
De-clutter the Work Area
image: borellimotorsports.com
You should have a clean, clutter-free workspace when working on your car. Imagine how hard it would be to slide under the car when there’s no room on either side. Or how you’d love to raise it up on the jack, but you’ve got boxes stacked from floor to ceiling that are in the way.
Take some time to prepare and clean up. This lessens the chances of you slipping, tripping, or having other unfortunate accidents.
Store Chemicals Properly
Cars require many different chemicals in order to run. When handled the wrong way, you might mess up your face, your eyes, or even your skin, as many chemicals are harmful, or even flammable.
Make sure all of your chemicals are stored properly in sealed containers. Check for leaks. When a bottle is empty, don’t just toss it in the trash or dump out the rest. Put it in another container and take it to a hazardous waste site. Keep water and towels nearby for when your skin gets gunked-up with oil.
Have Proper Ventilation
While chemicals that aren’t stored properly can foul up the air, so can your car and its fumes. Always make sure your garage is properly ventilated while working.
Never leave a car running in a contained area, because the carbon monoxide fumes can build up at a moment’s notice. The gas is invisible and even small levels are lethal.
Keep a Smoke Detector and Fire Extinguisher Handy
Remember reading the part about how many car-related chemicals are flammable? There is always a possibility of a fire starting if you’re not careful. In case of this emergency, it’s a great idea to have a smoke detector. It can detect a fire before it gets out of hand.
If you’re lucky enough to spot the fire first, a fire extinguisher will put it out immediately. Keep one close by. In fact, keep one in your car too.
Know the Jack Rules
Every car has different “jack points” — where to place the jack under your car. Make sure you’re jacking up the car at the right points . Once your car is lifted, don’t forget to put at least two jack stands underneath it for support. These stands go at the front and back of the car along designated jack point pinch welds.
To prevent your ride from rolling away when it’s raised, place rubber chocks or a sturdy 2×4 under the tires.
Be Aware of Several Under-the-Hood Dangers
image: cjponyparts
The dangerous stuff isn’t just under your car. There are plenty of dangers under the hood, too. You could accidentally stick your fingers in a running fan or belt. The radiator cap, under high pressure and intense heat, can flash boil if you don’t wait for the pressure to return to zero. Fuel lines with high pressure can shoot gasoline everywhere, which can catch fire.
Just make sure you know exactly what to do when you’re under the hood.
Maintain a Proper Toolbox
What good is working on a car if you don’t have the right tools? They were made to fit into certain parts. Never accept substitutes.
Also, if you know one of your tools is broken or on its way out, don’t use it. You’ll be happy you spent the extra money to buy a new tool instead of hurting yourself.
Wear the Right Clothes
When it comes to auto repairs, the most important areas you need to protect are your hands, your eyes and your ears.
Make sure you have proper gloves if you’ll be working on anything sharp, and safety glasses. Don’t wear anything baggy. You want clothes that minimize the risk of getting them caught in something. Hard-toed shoes will save your feet if you drop something on them.
Make the Kids’ Stuff Easily Accessible
Kids are a big hazard when it comes to garage safety. If you keep anything dangerous at their level, it can increase risk of injury. Keep chemicals and sharp objects high up or locked away. Move the kids’ toys, bikes, and other items to a specific safe area, and make sure they know some basic garage safety.
Be Smart
When it all comes down to it, your brain is the most important tool you have. Use it to properly to plan out a project — it’ll save you time, money, and possibly your life.
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