What is the Most Common Cause of a House Fire - Fire Damage Remediation
House fires are a frightening thing, and they transpire more regularly than people might think. The National Fire Protection Association has reported that more than 300,000 houses in the United States experience fire damage annually. Professional fire damage repair companies like Paul Davis have performed many fire clean up services because of this data. It's good to understand the most common ways a house fire is caused, because any likelihood for fire shouldn't be disregarded. To better prepare yourself, we've organized a selection of the most common causes of house fires.
Cooking
Cooking is one of the main causes of house fires, and a fire usually happens when the stove is isn't being watched. Many fire damage repairs have been required because of neglected cooking. If you need to leave the kitchen for any reason, make sure another person is there to monitor the cooking.
Electrical Equipment
Anything that needs electricity in your residence can pose as a fire risk. If any of your electrical devices have a worn out cord, then they are a fire risk. Another thing to keep in mind is your outlets. For your safety, restrict what you plug into them.
Candles Left Ignited
Candles are delightful pieces to keep around the house. They look great and make your house aromatic, but they are also an extreme fire hazard. Make sure to blow out your candles before exiting the room, and put them in an area where they won't fall or ignite other objects around them.
Smoking
When it comes to fire hazards, cigarettes are dangerous because they can drop on the ground and stay lit for a long period of time. Departing from your home to smoke is the best way to avoid an accident from occurring.
Electrical Problems Bad Wiring
Any electrical complications in your home, such as defective wiring, can expose your property to fire. This poses a problem since it's not in plain sight, but there are some things you can watch out for to pinpoint 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, resolve the problem and reach out to an electrician or contact your landlord.
Grills on Your Property
For most individuals, a grill is a part of their residence for the summer months. However, check that it's not in proximity to your house or any plants and trees. Also, keep it cleaned and maintained routinely, since the buildup that occurs in your barbecue can be a fire risk. Additionally, you need to inspect the gas bottle regularly for leaks or other possible problems.
Kids in the House
Kids are normally curious, and fire can be exciting for them. Keep any matches or lighters out of reach or hidden to avoid an emergency from developing. You can also educate them what to do in the incident of a fire and to memorize their address in case they need to call 911.
Placing Combustible Contents
Specific liquids should be stored away from any source of heat, and you should always look through the label to see if they are a risk for fire.
Having a Christmas Tree in Your Home
Every December, holiday festivity is delivered to the home through Christmas trees along with a possible house fire. Cutting a small section from the base will let your tree absorb water, and it's necessary to do this before it is placed in the tree stand. Watering your tree consistently and keeping it hydrated is also an important step. One more task you should complete is turning off your Christmas lights when you go to sleep. You could consider acquiring an artificial tree to limit a fire hazard.
Not Cleaning Out the Lint Trap
Fires produced from dryers are very common, and that's why it's vital to keep them maintained. 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 consistently because lint can get trapped in there often.
Prevention
It's impossible to remove all possible risks for fire, but knowing the most typical causes of house fires can eradicate your risk significantly. If you have experienced any fire damage to your residence, don't wait to call an expert that provides fire clean up services, like Paul Davis. We are a fire clean up company that can have your house restored back to where it was before.
