The Most Common Cause for Fire Damage Remediation Services
House fires can be alarming, and they occur more frequently than people might think. The National Fire Protection Association has reported 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 firefighters and civilians. Along with this data, businesses like Paul Davis have provided fire damage repair services for many houses. It's important to understand the most common ways a house fire is caused, because any possibility for fire shouldn't be ignored. We've arranged a list of the most common fire risks so that you can avoid a fire from occurring in your home.
Leaving Food on the Stove
Cooking is one of the more common causes of house fires, and a fire usually transpires when the stove is left alone. A lot of houses have needed fire damage repairs because of food being left on the stove with no one to watch it. If you're required to exit the kitchen for any reason, make sure another person is there to keep an eye on the cooking.
Your Electrical Appliances
Anything that uses an electrical current in your property can act as a fire risk. Check your appliances to see if any of the cords are defective, because that poses a great fire hazard. Always confirm that your electrical outlets are not being overused.
Candles Left Burning
One of the more enjoyable features to place around the home are candles. Despite the fact they make for elegant decorations, they are also a huge fire hazard. Keep your candles away from potential fire hazards such as books, newspapers and draperies, and always extinguish them when you leave the room.
Smoking
Cigarettes have been a fire hazard for years, 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. Departing from your home to smoke is an excellent approach to bypass this risk.
A Residence with Damaged Wiring
Any electrical problems in your home, such as defective wiring, can put your property at risk for fire. This poses an issue because it's not in plain sight, but there are some things you can look 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 you detect any of these things, contact an experienced electrician or contact your landlord to fix the problem.
Barbecues & Grills
Having a barbecue may be a fundamental part of your home, and they're an excellent thing to have during the summer. Remember, it's vital that your barbecue isn't close to anything that can catch on fire from it. Also, have it cleaned and maintained regularly, because the buildup that collects in your barbecue can be a fire risk. Additionally, you need to check the gas bottle routinely for leaks or other possible problems.
Kids
Fire is intriguing for the curiosity of a child, and that's why it's important to take every precaution. Hide all matches and lighters in your home to keep your children protected. You can also train them what to do in the situation of a fire and to memorize their address in the event they need to call 911.
Placing Combustible Contents
Before storing your liquids, look through the label to make sure the contents aren't flammable, otherwise don't store them next to a heat source.
Christmas Trees & Lights
Every winter, holiday cheer is brought into the home through Christmas trees along with a probable house fire. If you have a live tree, you should cut off an inch from the trunk so the tree can absorb water. Watering your tree regularly and keeping it hydrated is also an essential step. Another task you should complete is turning off your Christmas lights when you go to bed. You could consider purchasing an artificial tree to limit a fire hazard.
Lint Traps
Fires caused from dryers are quite common, and that's why it's crucial to keep them maintained. To prevent your home from needing fire restoration services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and check the dryer duct regularly because lint can get trapped in there often.
Prevention
It's difficult to get rid of all potential risks for fire, but knowing the most frequent causes of house fires can eradicate your risk significantly. If you have experienced any fire damage to your property, don't hesitate to call an expert that offers fire restoration services, like Paul Davis. We are fire restoration contractors that can get your property brought back to its previous state.
