Fire Damage Clean Up - The Most Common Cause of Home Fires
Fire damage occurs to homes quite frequently, and they can be an alarming thing to deal with. The National Fire Protection Association has accounted that there are more than 300,000 house fires annually in the United States, and they are liable for the injuries and deaths of both civilians and firefighters. Along with this data, businesses like Paul Davis have given fire clean up services for many homes. It's necessary to understand the most common ways a house fire is caused, because any likelihood for fire shouldn't be overlooked. We've organized a list of the most common fire threats so that you can counter a fire from taking place in your home.
Inattentive While Cooking
Preparing meals in the home is one of the prime culprits to house fires, especially when no one is there to watch the kitchen. Many fire remediation services have been required because of neglected cooking. It's necessary to stay in the kitchen while cooking, or to have someone to monitor it if you leave the room.
Accessories Using Electricity
Electrical appliances, such as coffee makers and microwaves need to be watched after and put in places that aren't risky. Review your appliances to see if any of the cords are damaged, since that poses a major fire hazard. Another thing to be careful with is your outlets. You don't want to overload the circuit.
Forgotten Candles
One of the more nice pieces to keep around the house are candles. They look great and make your house fragrant, but they are also a severe fire hazard. Keep your candles away from possible fire hazards such as magazines, papers and draperies, and always extinguish them when you leave the room.
Smoking
Cigarettes have been a fire hazard for a long time, considering they can keep burning for a few hours, and if they come into contact with anything flammable, you can have a severe issue on your hands. Smoking outdoors is an excellent approach to avoid this hazard.
Electrical Issues Damaged Wiring
Any electrical problems in your residence, such as defective wiring, can put your property at risk for fire. Damaged wiring is troublesome 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 notice any of these things, contact an expert electrician or contact your landlord to fix the issue.
Grills in Your Yard
Having a grill may be a main part of your residence, and they're a good thing to have during the summer months. Remember, it's critical that your grill isn't in proximity to anything that can catch on fire from it. Also, keep it cleaned and maintained routinely, since the buildup that collects in your grill can be a fire hazard. Inspecting your gas bottle on a regular basis is another crucial step in ensuring your safety.
Children in the Home
Children are typically curious, and fire can be attractive to them. Hide all matches and lighters in your home to keep your children secure. You can also train them how to handle the incident of a fire and to memorize their address in the event they need to call 911.
Placing Combustible Contents
Before storing your liquids, read the label to make sure the substance isn't flammable, otherwise don't keep them next to a heat source.
Christmas Trees in the Home
Christmas trees bring holiday joy into the house, but they are also a risk for home fires. If you have a live tree, it's necessary to cut off a small section from the trunk so the tree is able to soak up water. Watering your tree frequently and keeping it hydrated is also an essential step. Before turning in for the night, make sure your Christmas lights are turned off as well. You could favor getting an artificial tree to prevent a fire hazard.
Not Cleaning Out the Dryer Duct
Fires caused from dryers are quite prevalent, and that's why it's crucial to keep them maintained. To prevent your residence from needing fire remediation services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and check the dryer duct consistently because lint can get stuck in there as well.
Prevention
It's difficult to get rid of all possible risks for fire, but understanding the most typical causes of house fires can remove your risk substantially. If you have experienced any fire damage to your house, don't wait to call an expert that provides fire remediation services, like Paul Davis. We are fire restoration contractors that can get your home brought back to where it was before.
