The Most Common Factors for Fires in Homes
Fire damage presents itself to homes quite regularly, and they can be an alarming thing to deal with. Based off information by the National Fire Protection Association, there are more than 300,000 house fires annually in the United States, and they are liable for the injuries and deaths of firefighters and civilians. Fire clean up companies like Paul Davis have completed many fire damage cleaning services because of these numbers. It's good to know the most common ways a house fire is caused, because any possibility for fire shouldn't be disregarded. We've listed out the most common fire threats so that you can inhibit a fire from taking place in your home.
Cooking
Preparing meals in the home is one of the main culprits to house fires, especially when no one is there to oversee the activities in the kitchen. Many fire damage repairs have been needed because of neglected cooking. It's necessary to stay in the kitchen while preparing your meals, or to ask someone to keep an eye on it if you leave the room.
Equipment Using Electricity
Appliances that use an electrical current, such as toasters and portable heaters should be checked up on and put in areas that aren't risky. If any of your electrical appliances have a bad cord, then they are a fire risk. Consistently verify your electrical outlets are not overloaded.
Forgotten Candles
One of the more enjoyable features to keep around the home are candles. They are decorative and make your home smell nice, but they are also an extreme risk for fire. Keep your candles away from probable fire hazards such as magazines, newspapers and curtains, and always extinguish them when you leave the room.
Smoking Indoors
When it comes to fire hazards, cigarettes are risky on account of they can fall to the floor and burn for a few hours. Exiting your residence to smoke is an excellent way to bypass this risk.
Electrical Problems Defective Wiring
Any electrical complications in your residence, such as damaged wiring, can expose your property to fire. This poses an issue since it's not in plain sight, but there are some things you can look out for to identify any faulty wiring in your home:
- 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 predicament, fix the problem and reach out to an electrician or call your landlord.
BBQs & Grills
Having a barbecue may be a fundamental part of your home, and they're an excellent thing to have during the summer. Remember, it's imperative that your barbecue isn't near anything that can ignite from it. Also, keep it cleaned and maintained regularly, since the buildup that occurs in your barbecue can be a fire hazard. Additionally, you should inspect the gas bottle consistently for leaks or other potential issues.
Kids
Children are usually curious, and fire can be appealing to them. Keep any matches or lighters out of reach or hidden to prevent a catastrophe from developing. Take additional protections and ensure your children know how to exit the house and that they know their address if they need to call 911.
Contents That Are Flammable
When you're storing your liquids, always look through the label to make sure the contents aren't a fire hazard, otherwise don't store them next to a heat source.
Having a Christmas Tree in Your Residence
Every December, holiday cheer is brought into the home through Christmas trees along with a possible house fire. Cutting an inch from the trunk will let your tree absorb water, and this should be done before it goes in the tree stand. You should also be active about watering your tree and keeping it hydrated. Before going to bed for the evening, make sure your Christmas lights are turned off as well. You could consider purchasing an artificial tree to rule out a fire hazard.
Laundry Appliances
Fires caused from dryers are rather frequent, and that's why it's important to keep them maintained. To prevent your home from needing fire damage cleaning services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and check the dryer duct regularly because lint can get stuck in there often.
Prevent Fire Damage to Your Residence
It's impossible to get rid of all potential risks for fire, but knowing the most common causes of house fires can eliminate your risk substantially. If you have encountered any fire damage to your house, don't hesitate to call a professional that provides fire damage cleaning services, like Paul Davis. We are fire restoration contractors that can get your property restored back to its previous state.
