The Most Common Factors for Fires in Homes
Home fires can be fearsome, and they happen more often than people might think. More than 300,000 homes throughout the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Association, suffer from fire damage in a year. Fire restoration contractors like Paul Davis have completed many fire restoration services because of these numbers. It's necessary to understand the most common ways a house fire is caused, because any possibility for fire shouldn't be neglected. To better prepare yourself, we've assembled a list of the most common causes of house fires.
Getting Distracted in the Kitchen
Cooking is one of the more common causes of house fires, and a fire often happens when the stove is neglected. Many fire damage repairs have been needed because of unattended activities in the kitchen. It's important to stay in the kitchen while preparing your food, or to get someone to monitor it if you exit the room.
Your Electrical Devices
Appliances that use electricity, such as toasters and portable heaters need to be watched after and put in locations that aren't risky. If any of your electrical devices have a bad cord, then they are a fire risk. Another thing to be careful with is your outlets. Don't plug too many things into them.
Candles in Your Room
Candles are charming materials to keep around the house. Even though they make for fashionable decorations, they are also an extreme fire hazard. Keep your candles away from probable fire hazards such as books, newspapers and curtains, and always blow them out when you leave the room.
Smoking in Your Room
Cigarettes have been a fire hazard for years, because they can stay lit for a few hours, and if they come into contact with anything flammable, you can have a huge issue on your hands. Smoking outdoors is an excellent method to stay away from this risk.
A Residence with Bad Wiring
Any electrical complications in your residence, such as damaged wiring, can put your property at risk for fire. Bad wiring is troublesome because you can't always see it, but here are some 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 recognize any of these things, call an experienced electrician or call your landlord to resolve the problem.
BBQs & Grills
Having a grill may be a fundamental part of your home, and they're a fine thing to have during the summer months. Remember, it's necessary that your grill isn't near anything that can catch on fire from it. Also, keep it cleaned and maintained frequently, since the buildup that collects in your grill can be a fire risk. Additionally, you need to inspect the gas bottle routinely for leaks or other potential issues.
Curious Children in the Home
Children are normally curious, and fire can be enticing for them. Hide all matches and lighters in the house to secure the safety of your children. You can also teach them how to handle the incident of a fire and to memorize their address in case they need to call 911.
Contents That Are Combustible
Specific liquids should be kept away from any source of heat, and you should always look through the label to see if they are flammable.
Christmas Trees During the Winter
Christmas trees provide holiday joy into the house, but they are also a danger for house fires. If you have a live tree, you should cut off an inch from the trunk so the tree has the ability to absorb water. Watering your tree consistently and keeping it hydrated is also a necessary 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.
Dryer Ducts
Fires generated from dryers are quite frequent, and that's why it's critical to keep them clean. To prevent your home from needing fire remediation services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and check the dryer duct periodically because lint can get trapped in there often.
Prevent Fire Damage to Your Residence
It's difficult to remove all potential fire hazards, but understanding the most typical causes of house fires can eradicate your risk significantly. If you have encountered any fire damage to your property, don't wait to call a professional that provides fire remediation services, like Paul Davis. We are a fire clean up company that can get your house restored back to its previous state.
