The Most Common Factor for Fire Damage Clean Up Services
House fires are a frightening thing, and they happen more regularly than people might think. The National Fire Protection Association has chronicled that more than 300,000 houses across America come across fire damage in a year. Along with this data, businesses like Paul Davis have provided fire damage remediation services for many properties. It's important to understand the most common ways a house fire is caused, because any chance for fire shouldn't be neglected. For your preparation, we've organized a selection of the most common causes of house fires.
Cooking
Making meals in the house is one of the main culprits to house fires, especially when no one is there to oversee the activities in the kitchen. Many properties have been in need of fire damage repairs because of food being left on the stove with no one to lookout after it. If it's necessary for you to retire from the kitchen for any reason, make sure another person is there to look after the cooking.
Electrical Current & Your Equipment
Appliances that use an electrical current, such as coffee makers and microwaves should be monitored and put in places that aren't risky. If any of your electrical devices have a frayed cord, then they are a fire risk. Another thing to recognize is your outlets. You don't want to overload the circuit.
Forgotten Candles
One of the more nice items to have around the home are candles. Even though they make for elegant decorations, they are also an extreme fire hazard. Keep your candles away from potential fire hazards such as books, papers and curtains, and always make sure the wick isn't burning when you leave the room.
Cigarettes Inside
When it comes to fire hazards, cigarettes are risky since they can drop on the ground and stay lit for a few hours. Leaving your house to smoke is the best approach to bypass an accident from occurring.
Faulty Wiring
Residences with damaged wiring produce electrical issues which can lead to a house fire. This poses a problem since it's not in plain sight, but there are some things you can look out for to diagnose 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 call your landlord to resolve the issue.
Barbecue Equipment
Having a barbecue may be a main part of your house, and they're a fine thing to have during the summer. However, check that it's not near your house or any plants and trees. 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 routinely for leaks or other potential problems.
Kids
Fire is appealing for the curiosity of a child, and that's why you need to take preventative measures. Keep any matches or lighters out of reach or hidden to prevent an emergency from occurring. You can also teach them what to do in the circumstance of a fire and to memorize their address in case they need to call 911.
Storing Combustible Contents
Before storing your liquids, check the label to make sure the contents aren't a fire hazard, otherwise don't store them next to a heat source.
Christmas Tree
Christmas trees deliver holiday cheer into the home, but they are also a major fire hazard. If you like having a live tree, it's necessary to cut off a small section from the trunk so the tree is able to absorb water. Watering your tree regularly and keeping it hydrated is also an important step. Another thing you should do is turn off your Christmas lights when you go to sleep. Furthermore, you could acquire an artificial tree to avoid the fire hazard altogether.
Dryer Ducts
Fires caused from dryers are rather prevalent, and that's why it's integral to keep them clean. To prevent your house from needing fire remediation services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and check the dryer duct regularly because lint can get stuck in there as well.
Prevention
It's impossible to get rid of all potential fire hazards, but knowing the most common causes of house fires can eliminate your risk significantly. If you have experienced any fire damage to your home, don't wait to call a professional that offers fire remediation services, like Paul Davis. We are a fire restoration company that can have your property restored back to where it was before.
