What is the Most Common Cause of a House Fire - Fire Damage Remediation
Fire damage presents itself to homes quite frequently, and they can be an alarming thing to deal with. According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are more than 300,000 house fires annually in the United States, and they are responsible for the deaths and injuries of both civilians and firefighters. Fire clean up companies like Paul Davis have provided many fire damage cleaning services because of these statistics. It's necessary to know the most common ways a house fire is caused, because any potential for fire shouldn't be disregarded. We've listed out the most common fire threats so that you can halt a fire from taking place in your home.
Cooking
Making meals in the home is one of the main culprits to house fires, especially when no one is there to monitor the kitchen. A lot of houses have needed fire damage repairs because of food being left on the stove with no one to monitor it. If you're required to leave the kitchen for any reason, make sure someone else is there to keep an eye on the cooking.
Electrical Current & Your Appliances
Your electrical equipment and appliances can act as a fire hazard. Checkup on your appliances to see if any of the cords are damaged, since that poses a major fire hazard. Another thing to keep in mind is your outlets. Don't overload them.
Candles
Candles are nice materials to keep around the home. Although they make for fashionable decorations, they are also an extreme fire hazard. Make sure to put out your candles before exiting the room, and put them in a location where they won't fall or ignite other objects around them.
Smoking Indoors
When it comes to fire hazards, cigarettes are dangerous because they can fall to the floor and burn for a few hours. Departing from your home to smoke is an excellent way to avoid an accident from happening.
Faulty Wiring
Residences with faulty wiring produce electrical issues which can lead to a house fire. This presents an issue since it's not in plain sight, but there are a few things you can look out for to pinpoint any faulty wiring in your property:
- 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 this is your dilemma, resolve the problem and reach out to an electrician or call your landlord.
Barbecue Equipment
Having a grill may be a main part of your property, and they're a good thing to have throughout the summer. Remember, it's imperative that your grill isn't near anything that can ignite from it. Maintaining your grill is also crucial since the buildup in it can be a fire hazard. Additionally, you should check the gas bottle frequently for leaks or other potential issues.
Kids
Children are naturally curious, and fire can be appealing to them. Keep any matches or lighters out of reach or hidden to prevent an emergency from occurring. You can also train them what to do in the incident of a fire and to memorize their address in the event they need to call 911.
Contents That Are Flammable
Before storing your liquids, look through the label to make sure the contents aren't flammable, otherwise don't store them next to a heat source.
Having a Christmas Tree in Your House
Christmas trees provide holiday festivities into the home, but they are also a huge fire hazard. Cutting a small section from the trunk will allow your tree to soak up water, and it's necessary to do this before you set it up. You should also be attentive about watering your tree and keeping it hydrated. Another task you should complete is turning off your Christmas lights when you go to sleep. You could favor purchasing an artificial tree to limit a fire hazard.
Lint Traps
Fires produced from dryers are very common, and that's why it's integral to keep them clean. To prevent your property from needing fire restoration services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and check the dryer duct frequently because lint can get stuck in there as well.
Avoid Fire Damage to Your House
It's difficult to remove all possible 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 residence, don't hesitate to call a professional that provides fire restoration services, like Paul Davis. We are fire restoration contractors that can have your property recovered back to its previous state.
