From Matthew Wright,
Your Guide to Auto Repair.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

We take the motto "Safety First" seriously around here. There's no reason working on a car should be dangerous, but somehow automobile-related structure fires are far too common.

The steps you need to take to protect yourself, your shop and your loved ones from fire are simple and inexpensive. Having a fire extinguisher "somewhere around here" won't be enough if disaster strikes. Fire safety is as much or more about what you do to prevent than what you have laying around to fight fires with. It's a much better plan to avoid fire altogether than to have 10 different ways to put one out. A combination of preparation and safe work practices should keep you cool.

Do

• Store flammable liquids in a metal cabinet away from your main work area.
• Be sure your work area is well ventilated.
• Use an absorbent (like automotive kitty litter) to soak up even minor gas spills.
• Hang one fire extinguisher next to the door of your shop so you'll always know where it is.
• Keep a second fire extinguisher near your project for fast initial response should a fire break out.
• Try to keep a clean shop. Clutter is the enemy of safety, and this includes fire safety.
• Test yourself to see what you would do in the event of a fire. A practice run could reveal a kink in your plan.

Do Not

• Use aerosol sprays (spraypaint, carb cleaner, etc) near an open flame. Don't forget that pilot lights, water heaters and furnaces can all be sources of ignition.
• Don't store dirty or oily rags in a closed container, they can spontaneously combust.
• Never work on your fuel system when the engine is hot, or running.
• Never weld a gas tank unless it has been drained, dried, washed and re-dried. Even a seemingly empty gas tank can be full of dangerous fumes.
• Don't use things like paint stripper, parts cleaner or mineral spirits in an enclosed space, which can cause fumes to build to dangerous levels.
• Do not store marshmallows in your work area, they want to be toasted so badly they'll do whatever it takes.

Remember, if it seems like a bad idea, it probably is. It's always worth losing a day on a project for the sake of safety. If something terrible happens, there's nothing you can do to get the day back.