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What To Do After A Garage Fire (And How To Prepare For The Future)
Dad always said his garage wasn’t just a place to park the family car... It was his happy place, the one corner of the world where everything had its place, every tool was accounted for, and every project told a part of his life story.
So when a fire tore through our garage one summer, it didn’t just destroy his tools, the family car, and a bunch of our belongings... it knocked the wind out of him and left our whole family shaken.
The thing is, fires happen fast.
One day you're happily working on a project in your garage. The next, you're looking at smoke-stained walls, ashes, and a pile of twisted metal and wood where your garage once stood.
Hopefully, you're reading this because you take fire prevention seriously, and want to learn about fire prevention.
But if you have experienced a garage fire, know that you're not alone. Thousands of people experience property damage and loss every year due to garage fires. And there are a few things you need to do first to start moving forward.
In the following guide, we walk you through exactly what to do after a garage fire, as well as some of the most important steps to take to protect your home, your tools, and your family in the future.
What Should You Do After A Garage Fire?
When a garage fire breaks out, the first thing to do is to evacuate the premise and to contact emergency personnel. Always prioritize safety first and NEVER attempt to rescue valuables or possessions.
Remember, even if they're valuable or priceless, things can be replaced. Your life cannot.
So make sure to follow all directions as provided by the authorities. Whether it's the police, fire fighters, or EMS workers who show up first, follow their orders, and never re-enter your home or garage until it's been declared safe to do so.
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Once the blaze has been fully extinguished and you've been cleared to enter the property, it's time to contact your insurance provider. Before letting you clean anything up, they'll likely advise you to take pictures of the damage or they'll have an adjuster come out to do so. They may also request that you make a list of any items that have been damaged or destroyed by the fire.
Finally, you may also need to contact your local utility companies to ensure your garage's electrical, gas, water or sewer systems are intact and OK to use.
Click here to download our comprehensive checklist of what to do after a garage fire. We list the most important steps to take to help your family move forward and put the blaze in the past.
Why Are Garage Fires So Devastating?
People often store valuable possessions in their garages. Maybe it's their classic car, or their tools, or family photo albums, or even the children's old toys... either way, anything can all be damaged or destroyed in a fire.
There's also the fact that many of our garages are attached to our homes, which means that garage fires often lead to much larger house fires.
And because we also store flammable liquids, like gasoline or oil, in our garages, garage fires can quickly get out of hand, spread fast and cause significant property damage or injuries, which only helps emphasize the importance of garage fire safety and prevention.
Understanding the risks and causes of garage fires is crucial for preventing them and protecting your home in the future.
A functioning heat alarm and smoke alarm system help detect fires early and prevent the spread.
But regular maintenance and inspection of electrical tools, wiring, appliances, and equipment also go a long way in preventing electrical malfunctions, which are a leading cause of garage fires.
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What Are The Most Common Causes of Garage Fires?
As mentioned, electrical malfunctions, like faulty wiring, misused appliances and overloaded outlets, are some of the most common causes of garage fires.
Homeowners also tend to plug in appliances like heaters, old battery chargers or jump starters and leave them unsupervised in the garage. And the problem is that people also tend to store flammable liquids and materials, such as gasoline, oil, and paint in the garage.
So what might have just been a small electrical fire often ignites and spreads into a much larger conflagration. Here are even more common causes of garage fires:
- Overloaded electrical circuits and faulty wiring.
- Faulty or misused appliances
- Improperly stored flammable liquids like gasoline, solvents, or paints.
- Oily rags that can easily catch fire.
- Overheated power tools or appliances left plugged in or running.
- Lithium-ion battery failures from tools, EVs, e-bikes, etc.
- Space heaters placed too close to combustibles.
- Clutter buildup that fuels and spreads fire quickly.
- Old or malfunctioning vehicles leaking fuel or oil.
- Improper welding, grinding, or cutting without fire-safe precautions.
- Charging stations for tools or vehicles with poor ventilation.
- Poorly maintained water heaters or furnaces located in garages.
- Unsecured propane tanks or fuel containers stored near ignition sources.
All that to say that there is no single cause of garage fires.
Faulty electrical equipment may be a leading cause. But improper storage practices and other potential fire hazards, as well as a lack of awareness, and not having fire extinguishers or working smoke alarms also increases the risk of a garage fire getting out of hand.
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Understanding The Risks Of Garage Fires
Whether you've experienced a fire first-hand or you're looking for ways to avoid one, it's not hard to understand the risks of such blazes.
Anything that's stored in the garage can be burned, damaged, or destroyed, which means garage fires can cause significant property damage, and even injuries. If not contained quickly, attached garages are particularly vulnerable to fires spreading to the rest of the house.
In fact, it's estimated that, in the United States, there are more than 6,000 house fires each year where the blaze initiated in the garage.
Therefore, understanding the risks and taking preventive measures to keep your garage clean and safe are the best ways to protect your home and family from devastating fires.
Pro Tip - If you store any type of small valuables in your garage, such as jewelry, documents, family pictures, or heirlooms, or even cash, it's smart to keep it stored in a fireproof bag. These are fire and waterproof cases that can save your valuables from being destroyed in a fire.
Garage Fire Prevention - How To Prevent Garage Fires In The First Place
Garage fire prevention isn't a one-time ordeal. It involves using the right fire safety devices, regularly maintaining your garage, appliances and tools, and following safe practices at all times. It's an ongoing process of making sure your garage and the items you keep in it are used properly and kept safe.
Installing smoke detectors and heat alarms is definitely a good starting point. They can help you detect fires early and prevent the spread of flames.
But it's even more important to prevent garage fires from starting in the first place.
Always store flammable liquids and materials in a safe manner, make sure tools, appliances, and wiring are in good working order, never leave batteries, chargers, or space heaters plugged in unsupervised, and always keep your garage clean, tidy and well-ventilated
Click here to download our comprehensive garage fire safety and prevention checklist. Learn about best practices for keeping your garage clutter-free, safe and reduce the risk of fires starting in the first place.
What To Do After A Fire? - Protecting Your Home & Garage From Fire
By following the steps we've outlined in this guide, and by taking the preventative steps we've discussed, you're already well on your way to moving on and protecting your home from devastating fires in the future.
However, it's important to remain vigilant about fire prevention. Understand the risks of storing flammable materials or liquids in your garage.
Keep your space clean and your tools or appliances in good working order. Never leave heat sources unsupervised. And always take the precautions needed to ensure fires don't start, or if they do, they don't spread!
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Frequently Asked Questions - Garage Fire Safety And Prevention Tips
Garage fires can be devastating. They can destroy tools, vehicles, possessions, and can leave you and your family shaken. However, on a more positive note, there are many things you can do to prevent garage fires and to protect your family from loss.
Here are a few more frequently asked questions about garage fires we often hear from our readers.
What should be done immediately after a garage fire?
After a garage fire, it's important to never enter the garage, touch anything, or to turn on utilities unless the Fire Department has specifically said it's safe to do so. Afterwards, you will want to contact your insurance provider and begin taking stock of what's been damaged in the fire.
What causes garage fires?
Garage fires can be caused by electrical outlets shorting out, faulty wiring or extension cords, vehicles, or even improperly stored batteries or flammable materials like gasoline, propane tanks, solvents, or camping fuel.
How do I fireproof my garage?
Store tools, possessions, and flammable liquids or materials properly, have working smoke alarms, and make sure you have at least one working fire extinguisher present. Don't smoke indoors, don't leave anything plugged into electrical outlets unsupervised, and always keep your garage clean and tidy. It's also smart to store valuables in a fireproof bag or keep important documents in a fireproof document holder.
Does car insurance cover garage fire?
It depends on your policy and coverage. If your policy includes comprehensive coverage, it likely covers fire damage. However, if you have basic coverage, you might not be covered for any type of non-collision damage like a garage fire. Ask your insurance provider for more details about what is and is not covered.
What is the number one cause of garage fires?
Faulty wiring, overloaded outlets, and negligence are some of the most common causes of garage fires. Which is why it's important to make sure outlets and wiring are up to code, and that you're not doing anything that is increasing your risk of fire.
How many house fires start in the garage?
According to the US Fire Administration, there are approximately 6,600 house fires that start in the garage every year. This leads to an annual average of 30 deaths, 400 injuries, and more than $457 million in damages and property loss.
Do most house fires start in the garage?
No, most house fires start in the kitchen. However, garage fires are often cited as the second leading cause of house fires in the United States.
Are there warning signs before an electrical fire?
Lights that flicker and breakers that trip frequently are signs that you might have issues with your home or garage's wiring. However, the smell of burning plastic or rubber, or visible smoke are warnings signs that a fire is in the process of igniting.
What are the 5 E's of fire prevention?
Education, Engineering, Enforcement, Economic Incentives, and Emergency Response are the 5 E's of fire prevention. The 5 E's are a framework used to raise public awareness, design safer buildings, ensure compliance, and reduce the risks associated with house and garage fires.
What is the best fire protection between the garage and the house?
The best way to prevent a garage fire from spreading into the home include using 5/8" fire-resistant drywall and a fire-rated garage door. However, it's also important to take fire prevention seriously, to store flammable liquids properly, and to have working smoke alarms in your house and garage.