Here are some simple safety tips for the garage:

1. Carcinogenic Brake pads and Engine oil. Used engine oil is believed to be carcinogenic, so never let it touch your bare skin. Prolonged exposure could make you more susceptible to cancer. Likewise, never carry oily rags around in your hands for longer than necessary. If you are changing brake pads, be sure to dispose of them carefully. Some brake pads are made with asbestos, which can disperse into the air as fine particles. People who have been exposed to asbestos particles have been known to contract a form of cancer known as mesothelemia. Read the OSHA warning on asbestos in brake pads here.

2. SUV accidents in the garage. If you drive a SUV or any other high riding vehicle, be careful when you back your car out of the garage. Because SUVs are so high, there have been many accidents where SUV drivers have accidentally backed into children because they couldn't see them standing right behind the vehicle. As a precaution, always walk around the vehicle to be sure that no child is standing nearby before starting your engine. You can also establish a safety rule in your family: make it known that no one should stand next to a car when its engine is turned on.

3. Ambient Chemical Fumes. Many people store pesticides, paint, engine oil and other chemicals in the garage. Check them once in a while, to make sure the containers haven't leaked. You'll also want to be careful if you work in your garage for long periods of time. On a hot summer's evening, it's very easy for chemical fumes to slowly saturate the air. You can easily breathe in a toxic amount of chemical vapors before you even realize it. To be safe, keep your garage well ventilated, especially if you plan to work in it.

4. Storing gasonline or kerosene. If you intend to keep small amounts of gasoline on hand, be sure to keep it in approved safety containers. Such containers are well sealed and built to withstand pressure. This is important because gas can evaporate even in cold weather and build up pressure inside the container and cause it to leak. Put the container in a cool, well ventilated area away from the sun. If you store it in a leaky container, the fumes can easily saturate the air in your garage and ignite. Gas vapor is heavier than air, so it'll cling close to ground where you won't smell it. Fires are easily started when the gas vapors, while hugging the ground, come into contact with cigarette butts, furnaces, or even refrigerator motors. Here is a news article showing how dangerous storing gasoline can be. Note: depending on where you live, storing large amounts of gasoline in your garage could be illegal.

Image credit: Image from the Wikimedia Commons.