Fire Damage Clean Up - The Most Common Cause of House Fires
Fire damage occurs to houses quite often, and they can be an alarming thing to deal with. More than 300,000 homes throughout the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Association, come across fire damage annually. Along with this data, businesses like Paul Davis have provided fire clean up services for many homes. It's good to understand the most common ways a house fire is caused, because any chance for fire shouldn't be disregarded. To ensure your preparedness, we've organized a collection of the most common causes of house fires.
Being Distracted from Cooking
Preparing meals in the home is one of the major culprits to house fires, especially when no one is there to watch the kitchen. Many homes have needed fire damage repairs because of food being left on the stove with no one to keep an eye on it. It's a good idea to remain in the kitchen while preparing your food, or to get someone to watch it if you retire from the room.
Electrical Current & Your Accessories
Anything that uses an electrical current in your property can pose as a fire risk. If any of your electrical appliances have a frayed cord, then they are a fire risk. Regularly verify your electrical outlets are not overloaded.
Candles in Your Residence
One of the more satisfying items to keep around the house are candles. They are ornamental and make your house fragrant, but they are also an extreme risk for fire. Keep your candles away from possible fire hazards such as magazines, papers and draperies, and always make sure the wick isn't burning when you leave the room.
Cigarettes in Your Residence
Cigarettes have been a fire hazard for decades, since they can stay lit for a few hours, and if they come into contact with anything flammable, you can have a severe problem on your hands. Leaving your house to smoke is an excellent approach to avert this risk.
Electrical Problems Defective Wiring
Properties with defective wiring produce electrical problems which can lead to a house fire. This poses a problem because it's not in plain sight, but there are some things you can watch out for to recognize 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 recognize any of these things, call an experienced electrician or contact your landlord to resolve the problem.
BBQ Equipment
For most individuals, a barbecue is a part of their home for the warmer months. However, make sure it's not nearby your home or any plants and trees. Also, have it cleaned and maintained frequently, because the buildup that occurs in your grill can be a fire risk. Examining your gas bottle routinely is another crucial step in ensuring your safety.
Children
Fire is intriguing for a child's curiosity, and that's why it's necessary to take preventative measures. Hide all matches and lighters in your home to establish the safety of your children. 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.
Placing Combustible Contents
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 by a heat source.
Christmas Trees in the Home
Christmas trees deliver holiday joy into the house, but they are also a big fire hazard. If you have a live tree, you should cut off an inch from the trunk so the tree can absorb water. 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. Also, you could acquire an artificial tree to avoid the fire hazard altogether.
Dryers Not Being Maintained
Fires produced from dryers are quite prevalent, and that's why it's necessary to keep them maintained. To prevent your house from needing fire damage cleaning services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and inspect the dryer duct regularly because lint can get stuck in there often.
Preventing Fire Damage
It's difficult to get rid of all potential risks for fire, but understanding the most common causes of house fires can eliminate your risk significantly. If you have experienced any fire damage to your property, don't hesitate to call a professional that provides fire damage cleaning services, like Paul Davis. We are a fire restoration company that can get your residence brought back to where it was before.
