What is the Most Common Cause of a Home Fire - Fire Damage Restoration
Fire damage happens to homes quite frequently, and they can be an alarming thing to deal with. The National Fire Protection Association has documented that more than 300,000 houses across America encounter fire damage annually. Fire clean up companies like Paul Davis have executed many fire restoration services because of this data. It's important to know the most common ways a house fire is caused, because any potential for fire shouldn't be disregarded. To ensure your preparedness, we've compiled a list of the most common causes of house fires.
Leaving Food in the Oven
Preparing 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 properties have been in need of fire clean up services because of food being left on the stove with no one to monitor it. If you need to exit the kitchen for any reason, make sure someone else is there to oversee the cooking.
Appliances Using Electricity
Anything that uses an electrical current in your residence can act as a fire hazard. If any of your electrical devices have a bad cord, then they are a fire risk. Additionally, what you need to be concerned with is your outlets. For your safety, restrict what you plug into them.
Candles Left Ignited
One of the more great pieces to keep around the house are candles. Although they make for elegant decorations, they are also a severe fire hazard. Keep your candles away from potential fire hazards such as books, newspapers and curtains, and always extinguish them when you leave the room.
Smoking in Your Residence
When it comes to fire hazards, cigarettes are risky since they can fall to the floor and stay lit for a long period of time. Smoking outdoors is an excellent way to reduce this accident.
Electrical Problems Damaged Wiring
Any electrical issues in your home, such as defective wiring, can put your property at risk for fire. Damaged wiring is difficult because you can't always see it, but here are a few things to watch out for:
- 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, call an experienced electrician or call your landlord to fix the problem.
BBQs & Grills
For most individuals, a grill is a part of their home for the summer months. Remember, it's vital that your barbecue isn't nearby anything that can catch on fire from it. Cleaning your grill is also necessary because the buildup in it can be a fire hazard. Examining your gas bottle frequently is another vital step in securing your safety.
Children
Fire is alluring for the curiosity of a child, and that's why you need to take preventative measures. Hide all matches and lighters in your home to secure the safety of your children. Take extra protections and make sure your children know how to clear the area and that they know their address if they need to call 911.
Placing Combustible Liquids
When you're storing your liquids, always examine the label to make sure the contents aren't a fire hazard, otherwise don't keep them next to a heat source.
Christmas Trees in the House
Christmas trees provide holiday joy into the house, but they are also a huge fire hazard. Cutting an inch from the trunk will let your tree soak up water, and it's necessary to do this before it is placed in the tree stand. You should also be earnest about making sure your tree is watered and hydrated. Before going to bed for the night, make sure your Christmas lights are turned off too. You could consider acquiring an artificial tree to rule out a fire hazard.
Clothing Dryers
Fires caused from dryers are very frequent, and that's why it's crucial to keep them clean. To prevent your home from needing fire clean up services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and inspect the dryer duct regularly because lint can get trapped in there often.
Prevention
It's impossible to get rid of all possible fire hazards, but understanding the most common causes of house fires can remove your risk significantly. If you have experienced any fire damage to your residence, don't wait to call an expert that offers fire clean up services, like Paul Davis. We are fire restoration contractors that can have your home restored back to its previous state.
