Cue the John Williams "Jaws" music. Da-a-a dump. Da-a dump. Da-da-da-da ...

Bet you didn't know the garage is a dangerous place to be. Your chances of slipping and falling, stepping on something sharp, or being hit on the head by a falling box is much higher than, say, getting bitten by a shark. According to a new study by The Home Safety Council and GarageTek, injuries taking place in the garage are more common than many would expect. Not surprisingly, most are due to lack of organization.

As the nation celebrates "Garage Safety Week," this is good information, whether you are a buyer, seller or a Realtor showing a home to a potential buyer.

The new survey reveals that nearly 60 percent of all garage users are unconcerned about safety hazards within their garage, even though one out of every three respondents report that a garage-related injury has already occurred in their home.

Slips and falls are the most commonly recognized garage safety issue (24 percent), which Home Safety Council research shows is the leading cause of unintentional home injury and related death in and around the home. Additional injury worries vary and include stepping on items, falling objects and garage fires.

"The garage serves as a multipurpose room for many Americans," said Marc Shuman, president of GarageTek. "As more people use the garage as an extension of their home, applying critical safety measures and staying organized will help ensure that the garage remains a safe and functional room for the entire family to enjoy."

Beware Hazardous Materials

Topping the list of garage hazards is storing dangerous items. In fact, 94 percent of garage users store at least one potentially dangerous item in their garage. Items most frequently stored in the garage include:

• Tools/sharp objects (82 percent)

• Lawn care products (64 percent)

• Automotive fluids (60 percent)

• Paint, paint thinner (50 percent)

• Cleaning products (50 percent)

• Gasoline/propane (42 percent)

Garage owners are advised to consider the following:

• Make sure poisonous products such as pesticides, automotive fluids, lighter fluid, paint thinner, antifreeze and turpentine have child-resistant caps, are clearly labeled and are stored in a locked cabinet out of sight and reach of children.

• Store shovels, rakes, lawn chairs, bikes and other sharp and large objects on the wall and out of high traffic areas.

• Keep pool chemicals according to the manufacturers' directions to prevent combustion and potential poisoning exposures.

• Store gasoline in small quantities only and in a proper, tightly sealed container labeled "gasoline."

• Do not keep gasoline in a garage with an appliance that contains a pilot light.

Beware Improper Storage

More than 75 percent of reported garage-related injuries result from either slipping and falling or stepping on an object left on the garage floor, both preventable by better lighting and organization.

The majority of garage users (60 percent) report that their garage is unorganized and additionally one out of three American garages does not have sufficient lighting.

"Safety measures such as installing proper lighting and keeping floors and stairs clear of clutter are important for inside the home, but also critical for the garage," said Home Safety Council president Meri-K Appy. "Every family can take simple steps to maintain a clean and organized garage and ultimately increase the overall safety of their home."

To reduce the risk of falls and other garage-related injuries, follow these organizational guidelines from GarageTek and the Home Safety Council:

• Properly secure shelving units to the wall, make sure they are not overloaded.

• Always store heavier items closest to the ground.

• Use a sturdy step stool with hand rails when climbing is necessary.

• Organize all items in designated, easy-to-reach places.

• Keep floors and steps clear of clutter and immediately clean up grease and spills.

• Keep children's toys in one area and within their reach to prevent children from exploring potentially dangerous areas.

• Supervise young children when they are in the garage.

• Use bright lights at the top and bottom of stairs.

• Make sure your garage is well lit. Use the maximum safe wattage in light fixtures. (Maximum wattage is typically posted inside light fixtures.)

• Install secure handrails or banisters on both sides that extend the entire length of the stairs.

• Clean garage of dust, webs and trash, which can interfere with the electrical system.

• When purchasing or remodeling a home with a garage, ensure that the door is equipped with an auto-reverse feature. Test the garage door safety device by placing a paper towel roll beneath the door as it closes. If the door opens quickly, then your family and pets will be protected from bodily entrapment.

It goes without saying that following these safety tips not only makes a garage safer, but homes this well organized should also sell faster and for higher prices than homes with dark, cluttered, dangerous garages.

Published: July 27, 2005

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Blanche is a renowned author of five real estate books. Her newest, Bubbles, Booms and Busts: Make Money In Any Real Estate Market, McGraw-Hill, was rave-reviewed by The New York Times. She was also selected from hundreds of real estate experts to contribute to Donald Trump's book, Trump: The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received: 100 Top Experts Share Their Strategies, Rutledge Hill Press, and is featured on page 68. Order Now Review - Honors In 2006, Blanche was selected among scores of candidates to author two consumer real estate guidebooks for the National Association of Realtors: The NAR Guide to Home Buying, and The NAR Guide to Home Selling, Wiley & Sons. She is currently planning two new books for the NAR and its members.       Known for her keen insight into real estate industry issues and for her ability to make complex subjects easy to understand, Blanche is a sought-after keynote and continuing education speaker. Real estate organizations from MLSs, to brokerages, to franchisors, to associations hire her to provide up-to-the-minute analysis of real estate industry news and advice on how to improve revenues. Her passionate delivery, peppered with stinging wit, is a huge hit with audiences and fans. Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, Blanche Evans, Richard Courtney, president 2007, GRAR "The GNAR membership meeting last week featured Blanche Evans as the keynote speaker. Her comments and insights resonated extremely well with those in attendance and we have had many requests for copies of her PowerPoint Presentation. She was a terrific part of the membership meeting and convention program!" - Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors Coverage from WSMV, Nashville - 8-14-2007 That Interview Guy - Get Inside The Head Of Today's Generation 2007 AE Institute Session - To purchase 2006 AE Institute Session - Parts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 HouseValues Mastermind call - Parts 1 2 Blanche's fireside chat with Jeremy Conaway, HAR - Click here. For more articles by Blanche, click here.