logo

ABINGTON

FIRE COMPANY

  • Contact Us
  • Dispatch Ops
  • About
    • AFC History
    • AFC Leadership
    • AFC Members
    • In Memoriam
    • About ATFD
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Contact AFC
  • Join
    • Apply Now
    • Membership Types
    • Recruitment FAQ’s
  • News
    • Upcoming Events
    • AFC in Photos
    • Instagram Latest
    • Facebook Latest
  • Station
    • AFC Apparatus
      • Historical Apparatus
    • Response Statistics
  • Fire Safety
    • Featured Topics
    • Topics By Audience
    • Seasonal Topics
    • More Topics
  • Donate

Garage and Basement Fire Safety

Garage and basement fires can spread farther and cause more injuries and dollar loss than fires that start in other areas of your home. Here is everything you need to know about keeping your home safe!

Garage and Basement Fire Tips

  • Store oil, gasoline, paints, propane and varnishes in a shed away from your home.
  • Keep items that can burn on shelves away from appliances.
  • Plug only one charging appliance into an outlet.
  • Don’t use an extension cord when charging an appliance.
  • Install:
    • A 20-minute fire-rated door that is self-closing and self-latching from the garage into the house.
    • A ceiling made with ⅝-inch Type X gypsum board (or the equivalent) if you have living space above the garage.
    • A wall with ½-inch gypsum board (or the equivalent) if the wall attaches the garage to your home.
    • An attic hatch cover if you have attic access from the garage.
    • A heat alarm — not a smoke alarm — in your garage. The heat alarm will sound if the temperature rises too high.

Downloadable Resources

  • Prevent Home Garage Fires: Tips
  • Focus on Fire Safety: Garage Fire Safety
  • Prevent Home Garage Fires: Postcard
  • Basement Fire Safety: Tips

Did You Know? Facts about Garage Fires

Every year, there are 6,600 garage fires in homes that result in an average of:

  • 30 deaths.
  • 400 injuries.
  • $457 million in property loss.

Of these fires, 93 percent occurred in one- and two-family homes.

Electrical malfunction is the leading cause of garage fires. These fires can start because of shorts in wires, damaged wires, and overloading electrical outlets.

Quick Tips to Share

Spread the word by sharing these graphics with your family and friends! We encourage you to print these and also share on social media.

Source for Content:  U.S. Fire Administration 

Search The Site

Donate Online

$25 | $50 | $100 | $Other

Make a Secure Online Donation Today

Fire Safety

  • Fire & Life Safety Info.
  • Featured Fire Safety Topics
  • Fire Safety Topics By Audience
  • More Fire Safety Topics

Latest News & Events

Abington Fire Helps Plan Your Escape

Santa! I Know Him! – Santa Run 2021

July 2021: A Month for the Record Books

AFC Crew Responds to Upper Moreland Apartment Fire

AFC on Facebook

ABINGTON FIRE COMPANY

1920 Horace Avenue
Abington, PA 19001

Emergency Dial 911
Non-Emergency (215) 572-0312

  • About
    • AFC History
    • AFC Leadership
    • AFC Members
    • In Memoriam
    • About ATFD
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Contact AFC
  • Join
    • Apply Now
    • Membership Types
    • Recruitment FAQ’s
  • News
    • Upcoming Events
    • AFC in Photos
    • Instagram Latest
    • Facebook Latest
  • Station
    • AFC Apparatus
      • Historical Apparatus
    • Response Statistics
  • Fire Safety
    • Featured Topics
    • Topics By Audience
    • Seasonal Topics
    • More Topics
  • Donate
Email Newsletter Signup

Help us keep you informed with critical information to keep you and your family safe by signing up to our email newsletter.

Be Informed, Sign-Up Today!

All content, including all images and photography except as specifically noted.
Copyright 2023, Abington Fire Company

  • Members Resources
  • Home
  • News & Events
  • Join The AFC
  • About The AFC
  • The AFC Station
  • Fire & Life Safety
  • Members Resources
  • Contact Us
  • Dispatch Ops
First Arriving Logo