We all have flammable liquids and gases at home, such as gasoline, pesticides, paint thinner, propane, and butane. Unfortunately, many of us don’t know how to store them properly.

When improperly stored, flammable liquids and gases can cause fires and explosions, which can take lives and destroy your property. 

For these reasons, we came up with this guide. Learn how to store flammable liquids and gases below. 

How to Store Flammable Liquids and Gases Safely 

Storing flammable liquids and gases at home is crucial to keeping your environment safe and free from fire. Here’s how to do it: 

Store flammable liquids and gases in proper containers.

Even if you store flammables in proper storage areas for safekeeping, putting them in the wrong containers can lead to fires. Never use everyday items such as jars, paint cans, or jugs to store flammables. They should only be kept in the containers they came with or certified fire safety containers.

Put them away from other flammable items.

Keep flammable liquids and gases away from other fire hazards, such as appliances, paper, and sawdust. If possible, keep them in an area detached from your house. Doing this ensures that even if the flammables start a fire, you can contain it quickly without the flames reaching your house. 

While most fires start from sparks, chemical reactions can also start a fire. This rarely happens, but we recommend putting your flammable liquids and gases away from other flammable items. 

Put them away from heat sources. 

A fire needs fuel, oxygen, and heat to start. Since heat is a component of the fire triangle, you must place your flammable liquids and gases away from heat sources, such as burners, stoves, boilers, and steam. 

Electricity can also cause a spark, so we suggest storing flammable liquids and gases from electricity sources. Putting up signs also let unsuspecting people know that there are flammable liquids and gases in that area. 

Ventilate the storage area.

Take note of the temperature in your storage area. It must not be exposed to high heat and must be well-ventilated. You should also make sure that the storage area has windows and vents that allow air to flow. This prevents the area from overheating and igniting a fire. 

Keep them away from your children and pets.

Store flammable liquids and gases away from children and pets. They’re naturally curious, so they might play with the containers and accidentally start a fire. Always lock the storage area and keep the key in an accessible location so you can quickly get it during a fire emergency. 

Conclusion

Properly storing flammable liquids and gases is a must for a safe, fire-free home. So, if you haven’t stored your flammable liquids and gases properly, do it as soon as possible.