[GRUMPYVETTE]

one very simple to over look factor is the trash cans you select for the shop, that factor was brought home recently when a buddy's shop almost caught fire, he had the common plastic trash cans in his shop rather than the galvanized steel with lids that tend to be a bit safer.
now when I say that it might take a bit of explanation,
he had just changed out some batteries in a couple meters and thrown them into a trash can near his shop door where he kept the trash can, what he didn,t realize was the battery was still mostly charged even if it was 6 months old and it landed in a bunch of steel wool and paint, and sand paper from a recent project, the battery, shorted out,igniting the steel wool, paint, paper etc. and by the time my friend noticed, there were flames and the trash can it self was starting to burn along with the trash in it, if it was a metal can with a lid the chances would be far better that even if it caught fire, it would be less likely to catch the near by objects on fire than a plastic can that added fuel to the fire.
and theres a good chance a metal can with a snap on lid would not allow enough air to the fire to let it burn efficiently.
he had a fire extinguisher, luckily, and got it put out quickly but not before the trash can was mostly on fire and he swears the time between throwing the batteries in the trash can and the fire was under 7-8 minutes.
if you don,t think that can happen , try dropping a partly charged ,9volt battery into a pile of shredded 0000 steel wool, mixed with paint chips and paint thinner
you might be amazed at the results.
I told him he was darn lucky, if he had thrown the battery away as he left the shop chances are good that by the time he noticed the fire it would have been a major fire, I also suggested use of both metal cans with lids and a smoke detector would not hurt.
an getting the fire extinguisher refilled would be a great idea.

http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=81

 

[JWagner]

Little details such as the choice of a trashcan can be important. Never take safety for granted.

 

[zeke67]

I always throw anything considered flammable away in a garbage can that is outside. It also prevents breathing volatile fumes. And I always keep the lids on the cans.

 

[Rich-L79]

Any kind of battery shouldn't be disposed of in the trash anyway. Collect them up and have them recycled.

 

[GRUMPYVETTE]

IF your thinking, many of my friends are careless, sloppy or unlucky,well, take the time to ask any of the older more experienced guys who work on cars,
no, its not really that, its just I know a great many people in the auto hobby and having built many of them engines over the years, and between electrical screw-ups welding accidents and stupid moves with fuel, I get to hear lots of conversations and shop or garage fires while VERY COMMON are usually put out and no big deal its something that needs to be pointed out and watched.
I doubt you'll find ANYONE whose worked around cars that has not at one time or another had a minor shop fire if they have been doing serious work with electrical systems, fuel system or welding for at least a few dozen years, most of those fires are minor in scope if caught early, and can be stamped out, or a garden hose, used, and people rarely brag about getting careless or consider a fire that they put out seconds after it started really news worthy .
its going to be a rare guy thats never seen hot welding slag, welding rods, fuel spills, sparks, or just electrical problems not cause a minor fire that they needed to put out, in 20-30 years.
IM just trying to point out the potential and limit the damages

 

[Chevelle505cid]

At work we have seperate trash cans for oily rags and such. Also have specific cans for used spray cans.

 

[68KMENO]

on a side note ........ those red shop towels everyone use's ............ OMG I don't know what they clean them with but one of the employee's was grinding a good distance away from where the CLEAN rags were stacked on the shelves ........ I have never seen a fire so hard to put out !!!!! needless to say the rags are stored in a fire resistant cabinet now !!!

 

[Bowtie-72]

In our area, regular batteries are to be thrown away, they do not recycle them. A good idea is to put electrical tape over the terminals. 9V batteries often come with little caps, save them for battery disposal.

and be careful if you put batteries in your pocket. I have always know not to put a 9 volt in without covering the terminals, but last summer, I had 2 AAs the got warm on me real quick.

 

[Chris R]

Are we talking about a small 9 volt battery that you may use in something like a remote control or something? I had no idea a small battery like that would arc enough current to start a fire. Intresting information.