Home fires are a frightening thing, and they transpire more often than people might think. Based off data by the National Fire Protection Association, there are more than 300,000 house fires annually in the United States, and they are responsible for the injuries and deaths of firefighters and civilians. Along with these numbers, businesses like Paul Davis have given fire clean up services for many houses. It’s good to know the most common ways a house fire is caused, because any chance for fire shouldn’t be overlooked. For your preparation, we’ve composed a set of the most common causes of house fires.
Inattentive While Cooking
Cooking is one of the primary causes of house fires, and a fire usually occurs when the stove is left alone. A lot of houses have been in need of fire damage repairs because of food being left on the stove with no one to keep an eye on it. It’s important to remain in the kitchen while cooking, or to have someone to watch it if you move away from the room.
Accessories Using Electricity
Any electrical equipment and appliances can act as a fire hazard. Look over your appliances to see if any of the cords are faulty, because that poses a great risk for fire. Another thing to be careful with is your outlets. Don’t plug too many things into them.
Candles in Your Property
Candles are delightful things to keep around the home. They embellish your space and make your house aromatic, but they are also an extreme risk for fire. Keep your candles away from potential fire hazards such as magazines, papers and draperies, and always extinguish them when you leave the room.
Smoking Inside
When it comes to fire hazards, cigarettes are risky on account of they can fall to the floor and burn for a long period of time. Leaving your house to smoke is the best way to avoid this risk.
Bad Wiring
Any electrical issues in your house, such as defective wiring, can expose your property to fire. This presents an issue because it’s not in plain sight, but there are some things you can watch out for to identify any faulty wiring in your house:
- Your lights dim when another appliance is in use
- You have to disconnect something in order for an appliance to work
- Your circuit trips frequently
If you detect any of these things, contact a professional electrician or contact your landlord to resolve the problem.
Barbecues in Your Yard
Having a barbecue may be a fundamental part of your house, and they’re a wonderful thing to have throughout the summer. Remember, it’s imperative that your barbecue isn’t nearby anything that can catch on fire from it. Also, have it cleaned and maintained frequently, because the buildup that occurs in your barbecue can be a fire hazard. Examining your gas bottle consistently is another crucial step in securing your safety.
Children
Children are usually curious, and fire can be attractive to them. Hide all matches and lighters in the house to keep your children free from harm. You can also train them what to do in the situation of a fire and to memorize their address in case they need to call 911.
Contents That Are Flammable
Specific liquids should be kept away from any heat source, and you should always examine the label to see if they are a risk for fire.
Christmas Tree
Christmas trees provide holiday joy into the house, but they are also a danger for home fires. Cutting a small section from the trunk will let your tree absorb water, and it’s necessary to do this before it is placed in the tree stand. You should also be active about making sure your tree is watered and hydrated. Another thing you should do is turn off your Christmas lights when you go to sleep. Additionally, you could get an artificial tree to avert the risk altogether.
Dryers Not Being Maintained
Fires produced from dryers are rather frequent, and that’s why it’s crucial to keep them maintained. To prevent your house from needing fire damage cleaning services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and examine the dryer duct regularly because lint can get stuck in there often.
Avoid Fire Damage to Your Residence
It’s difficult to remove all potential risks for fire, but understanding the most typical causes of house fires can eradicate your risk substantially. If you have experienced any fire damage to your home, don’t wait to call an expert that offers fire damage cleaning services, like Paul Davis. We are a fire clean up company that can have your residence brought back to its previous state.
