Your garage isn’t just a place to park the car—it often stores flammable items like gasoline, paint, tools, and appliances. That’s why it’s one of the most overlooked fire risks in the home. While smoke detectors and escape plans are common inside the house, most homeowners forget one critical part of fire safety: the garage door.

At State Line Garage Doors, we believe that protecting your home starts with every entry point—including the one you drive through. Here’s what you need to know about garage doors and fire safety, and how you can make simple updates to better protect your home and loved ones.

🔥 Why Garage Fires Are So Dangerous

Garage fires often go unnoticed until they’re already out of control. That’s because:

• Many garages lack smoke alarms

• Combustible materials are commonly stored there

• Fires can block the main garage door, trapping vehicles or cutting off escape routes

• The garage may be connected to the main living space, giving flames a direct path indoors

🛡️ How Your Garage Door Can Help—or Hinder—Fire Safety

1. Manual Release Accessibility

If a fire knocks out your power, your automatic opener won’t work. That’s why every homeowner should know how to use the emergency manual release on their garage door. Practice it, teach your family, and make sure it’s not jammed or blocked.

2. Fire-Rated Doors for Attached Garages

If your garage is attached to your home, consider upgrading the interior garage entry door to a fire-rated model. These are designed to resist flames for a set period (usually 20-90 minutes), giving your family time to escape and emergency services time to respond.

3. Proper Door Seals

Gaps in your garage door or frame can allow smoke and heat to pass through quickly. Installing tight-fitting weather seals or fire-resistant seals can slow the spread of toxic fumes and flames.

4. Smart Garage Door Openers

In some cases, smart garage openers with backup batteries can allow remote opening or emergency access even when the power is down. This can be helpful for emergency personnel or for safely escaping during a fire.

🔧 Maintenance Plays a Role, Too

Regular inspections and tune-ups help ensure that your garage door:

• Opens quickly and smoothly during an emergency

• Doesn’t have faulty wiring that could spark a fire

• Has working sensors and a functional manual release

✅ Fire Safety Tips for Your Garage

• Never store flammable liquids near your garage door opener or electrical outlets

• Install a heat-rated smoke detector in the garage

• Keep the manual release cord visible and accessible

• Consider upgrading to insulated or fire-resistant garage doors for added protection

• Mount a fire extinguisher near the garage entry door

Protect What Matters Most

A few proactive steps today can save lives tomorrow. At State Line Garage Doors, we’re proud to help homeowners across Lawrenceburg, Spring Hill, Savannah, Muscle Shoals, Fayetteville, and surrounding areas make their garages not only functional—but safe.

📞 Contact us today for a garage door safety check, new fire-rated door options, or to upgrade your emergency-access features.

Because fire safety doesn’t stop at the front door—and neither do we.