ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — A 2015 homeowner survey revealed that one in four Americans said their garage is too cluttered to fit a car inside. But while it may seem like the perfect extra room to store your stuff, there are certain objects you should never store in your garage!
Your garage has pretty big changes of hot and cold, and these fluctuating temperatures mean that sleeping bags and other cloth material can get moldy, and rodents will love chewing on it! But the sleeping bag might not be the only reason that rat came in; storing pet food in paper or cardboard packaging is an open invitation to dine in your garage. Improper garage storage can also be dangerous. Experts say a clear path to your water heater and electrical panel is key.
“Keep your storage at least three feet clearance away from that water heater, this way it allows you to get to the water heater in case there’s an issue, and it does keep your storage away from something that can get hot and start a fire,” explains Elizabeth Monforti, Public Information Officer for Palm Harbor Fire Rescue.
And while oil-based paint is less common…
“Most of the paint that we have now is water based, so it’s much safer,” said Monforti.
Storing paint in the garage can alter its formula and ruin it, so it’s best to keep it in a controlled temperature.
Some other items to never store in the garage: wine, firewood, and canned food. Fluctuating temperatures can alter the taste of wine, and firewood attracts pests, so it should be kept at least 20 feet away from the house. The humidity in a garage can cause canned foods to rust and spoil, so all canned foods should be kept between 50 and 70 degrees.
Contributors to this news report include: Hayley Hudson, Producer; Katie Campbell, Assistant Producer; Jamison Koczan, Videographer and Editor.
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