Oxy/Acetylene cylinder safety

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I'd like to evenually get a set of oxygen and acetylene cylinders.  I already have a torch/cutting/rosebud kit; although it's pretty old.  The primary use would be for heating metal for bending.My question concerns oxy/acetylene cylinder safety.  I live in southern California (very hot in the summer!!) and ideally would like to keep the cylinders in the garage.  However, I live in a condo unit with people on either side of me.  I don't want to be known as the neighbor who burned the building down or blew it up!!  Also, the gas fired hot water tank (with pilot) is in the garage (although the tank is located 18" above the ground).  On the opposite wall of the water tank is an upper vent in one corner and a lower vent in the opposite corner.  I was thinking that the tanks would be stored in front of this lower vent; with regulators attached but with the cylinder valves closed.  The cylinders would be in a wheeled rack for some mobility.  When in use, I'd open the garage door for some ventilation.  Do you think this would be safe cylinder storage?  Do you think a motorized exhaust vent (that runs continuously) in the bottom vent is nessary?  Any input would be welcome.  Thanks.By the way, the city where I live has no rules concerning the storage of these materials.  They referred me to the fire department.  The only rule that they had was that the amount of acetylene has to be less than 300 cubic feet.
Reply:I know I going to get bashed for this, however! I do not like the idea of storing tanks in a residential setting. We would all like to think that the tanks would always be turned off, the hoses would never leak, etc. BUT, things happen.   I shut (or so I think) all my tanks off everyday, but on occasion, I have found, (the next morning), the tanks are on, if it were the Acetylene, and there was a small leak, in a hose, or valve, a small spark from  a wall switch, or in your case the flame of your gas heater.  I know this could happen for years without incident, but are you prepared to make headlines (or loose loved ones) if something goes wrong?  I think if you must, removing the regulators, and recapping the bottles would be your safest bet.Just my  opinion, not from a book, just from the road.Howes Welding Inc.www.howesweldinginc.com
Reply:Would propane work for what you want (heating and cutting)?  Don't know if propane might be a bit safer, but it is cheaper and people seem a little less leary of it because they're used to seeing it around for grills.  You might need new tips and hoses.