What is the Most Common Cause of a Home Fire - Fire Damage Repair
Fire damage presents itself to homes quite regularly, and they can be a frightening thing to deal with. The National Fire Protection Association has chronicled that more than 300,000 houses in the United States encounter fire damage in a year. Fire damage repair companies like Paul Davis have performed many fire clean up services because of this data. It's necessary to understand the most common ways a house fire is caused, because any possibility for fire shouldn't be neglected. We've compiled a list of the most common fire risks so that you can avert a fire from taking place in your home.
Getting Distracted in the Kitchen
Cooking is one of the main causes of house fires, and a fire typically transpires when the stove is left unattended. Many fire damage repairs have been required because of unattended activities in the kitchen. It's imperative to wait in the kitchen while cooking, or to have someone to keep an eye on it if you retire from the room.
Electrical Current & Your Devices
Appliances that use an electrical current, such as toasters and portable heaters need to be checked up on and put in places that aren't risky. Review your appliances to see if any of the cords are broken, because that is a major fire hazard. Additionally, what you need to keep in mind is your outlets. You don't want to overload the circuit.
Candles Left Burning
Candles are refreshing items to keep around the home. They look great and make your house aromatic, but they are also a major fire hazard. Make sure to put out your candles before leaving the room, and put them in an area where they won't fall or ignite other things around them.
Smoking in Your Residence
When it comes to fire hazards, cigarettes are risky on account of they can fall to the ground and stay lit for a long period of time. Exiting your residence to smoke is an excellent way to bypass an accident from occurring.
A Residence with Bad Wiring
Any electrical problems in your house, 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 a few things you can watch out for to diagnose any faulty wiring in your property:
- 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 expert electrician or call your landlord to fix the issue.
BBQs & Grills
Having a barbecue may be a main part of your property, and they're a fine thing to have throughout the summer. Remember, it's important that your barbecue isn't close to anything that can catch on fire from it. Also, have it cleaned and maintained routinely, because the buildup that collects in your barbecue can be a fire hazard. Additionally, you need to examine the gas bottle regularly for leaks or other possible issues.
Children's Curiosity
Children are naturally curious, and fire can be enticing for them. Keep any matches or lighters out of reach or hidden to prevent a catastrophe from developing. You can also train them how to deal with the situation of a fire and to memorize their address in the event they need to call 911.
Flammable Liquids
Specific liquids should be kept away from any source of heat, and you should always look through the label to see if they are a risk for fire.
Christmas Trees During December
Christmas trees provide holiday festivities into the house, but they are also a huge fire hazard. If you like having a live tree, it's necessary to cut off an inch from the trunk so the tree can absorb water. You should also be diligent about watering your tree and keeping it hydrated. Before going to bed for the evening, make sure your Christmas lights are turned off too. Also, you could acquire an artificial tree to avert the risk altogether.
Dryer Ducts
Fires produced from dryers are rather common, and that's why it's critical to keep them clean. To prevent your property 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.
Prevent Fire Damage to Your Residence
It's difficult to remove all potential risks for fire, but knowing the most typical causes of house fires can remove your risk significantly. If you have experienced any fire damage to your residence, don't wait to call a professional that offers fire remediation services, like Paul Davis. We are fire restoration contractors that can have your house restored back to its previous state.
