Take These Steps to Ensure You're Being Safe
Your garage may be a convenient place to store appliances, lawn equipment, and power tools, but ignoring things like debris, extreme temperatures, and moisture can put your belongings and safety at risk. View PEC’s tips to help keep your garage a safe place.
Know what your garage can handle
Before you install major appliances in your garage, have it evaluated by a licensed electrician to make sure the wall outlets can handle the electrical load. If overloaded, your appliances could be damaged and create a fire hazard.
Plug major appliances into wall outlets
Appliances like refrigerators, washers, and dryers should not be plugged into extension cords. Doing so could cause the cord to overheat.
Install proper lighting in work areas
If you use part of your garage as a workshop, be sure the lighting is bright enough for you to see the area around you clearly.
Don’t use just any charger for your electric vehicle (EV)
If you own an EV and want to charge it in your garage, be sure you do so safely. Have an electrician confirm your garage outlets can handle vehicle charging. When purchasing a level 2 charging station, work with a certified EV charging station installer.
Use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs)
Your garage can be susceptible to moisture from weather, condensation from certain appliances, or cleaning. Ensure your GFCI outlets are working properly to protect against electrical shock in areas where water and electricity might mix.
Inspect your tools and appliances
Before you store power tools and appliances, make sure they’re in good shape and can handle changing temperatures. Make sure tools are clean and not damaged or rusted. This could impact their performance and put you at risk when using them.
For appliances, be sure items like the dryer won’t overheat and that the water heater isn’t damaged.
Taking these measures can keep you safe and your appliances and tools working efficiently. For more safety tips, visit myPEC.com/safety.
