Summer is here and it can be HOT. Heat and flammable materials don’t mix! Lack of caution with flammable solutions and materials can have detrimental consequences. Improper storage of chemicals and flammable materials is a fire hazard, and can even lead to spontaneous combustion. Yes, we’ve seen it!
Follow these tips to keep your family and property safe:
- Store Flammable Items in Proper Containers: Sometimes as you are using a product up, it can be tempting to consolidate the solution or move it to an alternative container to free up storage space. When it comes to flammable materials, this is ill-advised. Always store these products in their proper containers. You should never use household storage options (such as a milk jug, Tupperware, old cans, or other items) for flammable solutions. Any household combustibles should be stored in Factory Mutual (FM)-certified safety containers to counter the volatility of these items.
- Location, Location, Location: The place where you keep your flammables is as important as the container in which they are stored. It is not uncommon for homeowners to keep these solutions in the garage, basement, laundry room, or even under the sink. However, this can have deadly repercussions. Store flammable liquids in a well-ventilated spot that is not attached to your main living area. Avoid keeping flammables near a heating source, equipment that could cause a spark, or near an open flame. This means that these items should be kept away from your vehicle, cigarettes, washers and dryers, HVAC systems, hot water heaters, and electrical power tools.
- Consider the Temperature: You should not keep flammables in an area with high heat; indoors or out. As such, these products should not be left in direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can lead to spontaneous combustion of items. This can be an unassuming and dangerous situation. One solution is to build a storage cabinet or purchase a flammable liquid locker.
- Keep Out of Reach: A key component of knowing how to store flammable materials at home is keeping them out of reach. You don’t want these solutions falling into the wrong hands. Curious children and pets could easily be injured or poisoned if you do not take the proper precautions. The aforementioned storage solutions can be the buffer needed to prevent tragedy.
Safe Storage of Flammables is Important
As a homeowner, you have so many items on your to-do list. Be sure that the proper storage of flammables does not fall to the wayside. Knowing how to store flammable materials around the house keeps your family and your property safe now, avoiding a need for fire restoration services later.