Michigan winters are known for their harsh temperatures, with recent cold spells bringing lows into the single digits and teens. With this kind of weather, it’s easy to just stay indoors, keep warm, and forget about the things stored in your garage. However, your garage is likely as cold as the outside temperature, which means that certain items could be at risk of freezing, damage, or even becoming hazardous.
If you’re not heating your garage, you should consider removing some things from there during the winter. After all, if it’s not safe to leave something in your car in freezing temperatures, it might not be safe in your garage either.
Here are five things you should never store in your garage during the winter in Michigan to keep them safe and in good condition.
1. Electronics and TVs
It’s tempting to store extra electronics, like old TVs, speakers, or even your unused computer, in the garage. But extreme cold can cause moisture and temperature changes that can damage the internal components of these items.
Just last winter, I left my TV in the garage, thinking it would be fine, but now I’m worried. The cold can mess with the circuits and cause irreparable damage. So, if you want to keep your electronics working, it’s best to bring them inside where the temperature is more stable.
2. Batteries
Batteries are among the most vulnerable items to freezing temperatures. Whether it’s your car battery, power tool batteries, or rechargeable batteries, extreme cold can cause them to lose their charge, freeze, and stop working altogether.
I’ve noticed that my Dewalt power tools don’t perform as well in winter, which might be due to the cold. Keeping these batteries in the garage during freezing weather will likely shorten their lifespan and could even damage them permanently. To prevent this, make sure to bring any batteries inside.
3. Musical Instruments
Many people store musical instruments in their garages, especially if they don’t have space inside their homes. But for instruments made of wood, like guitars, violins, and pianos, the cold can cause the wood to warp or crack.
Even metal instruments aren’t safe from rust or corrosion caused by moisture in the cold air. It’s always a good idea to store your instruments in a warmer, more climate-controlled area of your house, where they won’t be exposed to freezing temperatures.
4. Paint and Other Liquids
If you’re a DIY enthusiast or have leftover paint from home improvement projects, your garage might seem like a good place to store them. But paint is extremely sensitive to temperature changes. When exposed to freezing temperatures, paint can separate, dry out, or become unusable. Other liquids, like cleaning products, adhesives, and even motor oils, can freeze and lose their effectiveness as well. To avoid wasting money on unusable products, bring your paint and liquids inside during the winter.
5. Canned Beverages
It might seem like common sense, but it’s worth repeating: never leave canned beverages like soda or beer in your garage when it’s freezing outside. When temperatures dip below freezing, the liquid inside the cans can expand, causing the cans to burst. This is not only messy, but it can also damage the garage itself. So, before the cold hits, bring your drinks inside, and you’ll save yourself from a big mess.
Why This Matters for Michigan Residents
Michigan winters are known for being tough, and we’ve all experienced those freezing cold weeks. When temperatures drop, it’s important to protect your belongings, especially those you’ve stored in your garage. Many people don’t think twice about leaving things in the garage, but if it’s cold enough outside to freeze water, it’s cold enough to damage electronics, batteries, musical instruments, and other sensitive items.
So, before the cold takes its toll, make sure you’re removing these five items from your garage and bringing them to a warmer place in your home. Not only will this help you preserve the condition of your things, but it will also prevent potential safety risks.
Pro Tip: A Little Extra Prevention
If you don’t have the space to store these items indoors, consider investing in a space heater or an insulated storage container for your garage. This can help keep the temperature more stable and protect your belongings from extreme cold.
Disclaimer: This article has been meticulously fact-checked by our team to ensure accuracy and uphold transparency. We strive to deliver trustworthy and dependable content to our readers.