What is the Most Common Cause of a Home Fire - Fire Damage Repair
Home fires are scary, and they transpire more often than people might think. The National Fire Protection Association has accounted that there are more than 300,000 house fires a year in the United States, and they are liable for the injuries and deaths of both civilians and firefighters. Fire remediation companies like Paul Davis have performed many fire damage cleaning services because of this data. It's important to know the most common ways a house fire is caused, because any possibility for fire shouldn't be overlooked. We've arranged a list of the most common fire threats so that you can inhibit a fire from taking place in your home.
Forgetting Food in the Oven
Making meals in the home is one of the main culprits to house fires, especially when no one is there to keep an eye on the kitchen. Many fire damage repairs have been necessary because of forgotten cooking. If you're required to move away from the kitchen for any reason, make sure someone else is there to keep an eye on the cooking.
Electrical Devices
Anything that operates using electricity in your property can act as a fire risk. Checkup on your appliances to see if any of the cords are damaged, because that is a great risk for fire. Additionally, what you need to be cautious about is your outlets. For your safety, check what you plug into them.
Candles in Your Room
Candles are delightful objects to have around the home. Despite the fact they make for great decorations, they are also a major risk for fire. Make sure to extinguish your candles before departing the room, and place them in a location where they won't fall or burn other things around them.
Smoking Inside
Cigarettes have been a fire hazard for years, considering they can stay lit for a few hours, and if they come into contact with anything flammable, you can have a major problem on your hands. Exiting your home to smoke is the best approach to avoid an accident from happening.
Damaged Wiring
Any electrical issues in your residence, such as damaged wiring, can expose your property to fire. This presents an issue because it's not in plain sight, but there are a few things you can look out for to pinpoint 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 this is your dilemma, fix the problem and get an electrician or contact your landlord.
Barbecues in Your Yard
Having a grill may be a fundamental part of your house, and they're a good thing to have throughout the summer. However, check that it's not nearby your home or any plants and trees. Also, keep it cleaned and maintained on a regular basis, because the buildup that occurs in your grill can be a fire risk. Inspecting your gas bottle routinely is another important step in establishing your safety.
Children's Curiosity
Fire is exciting for the curiosity of a child, and that's why it's crucial to take every precaution. Hide all matches and lighters in your home to keep your children secure. Take added steps and ensure your children know how to evacuate the house and that they know their address if they need to call 911.
Storing Flammable Liquids
Before storing your liquids, examine the label to make sure the contents aren't a fire hazard, otherwise don't keep them next to a heat source.
Christmas Tree
Christmas trees deliver holiday cheer into the house, but they are also a big fire hazard. If you like having 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 a necessary step. Before going to bed for the evening, make sure your Christmas lights are turned off as well. Furthermore, you could buy an artificial tree to refrain from the fire hazard altogether.
Clothing Dryers
Fires generated from dryers are very prevalent, and that's why it's integral to keep them maintained. To prevent your house from needing fire remediation services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and inspect the dryer duct regularly because lint can get stuck in there as well.
Prevention
It's impossible to remove all potential fire hazards, but knowing the most frequent causes of house fires can eliminate your risk significantly. If you have experienced any fire damage to your property, don't wait to call a professional that provides fire remediation services, like Paul Davis. We are fire restoration contractors that can get your property recovered back to its previous state.
