Fire Damage Restoration - The Most Common Factor of Home Fires
Fire damage happens to homes quite regularly, and they can be a scary thing to deal with. Based off information by the National Fire Protection Association, there are more than 300,000 house fires annually in the United States, and they are responsible for the deaths and injuries of firefighters and civilians. Along with these statistics, businesses like Paul Davis have provided fire clean up services for many homes. The chance of a house fire shouldn't be ignored, and that's why it's necessary to know what the most common causes of house fires are. We've arranged a list of the most common fire threats so that you can halt a fire from occurring in your home.
Cooking
Cooking is one of the most common causes of house fires, and a fire typically flares up when the stove is left alone. Many fire damage repairs have been required because of forgotten activities in the kitchen. It's necessary to remain in the kitchen while preparing your food, or to ask someone to monitor it if you exit the room.
Electrical Current & Your Devices
Appliances that use an electrical current, such as coffee makers and microwaves need to be monitored and put in areas that aren't risky. Checkup on your appliances to see if any of the cords are damaged, since that poses a great risk for fire. Another thing to be concerned with is your outlets. For your safety, restrict what you plug into them.
Candles in Your House
Candles are welcoming items to place around the house. While they make for ornate decorations, they are also an extreme risk for fire. Make sure to extinguish your candles before departing the room, and place them in an area where they won't fall over or burn other objects around them.
Smoking in Your House
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 severe problem on your hands. Smoking outdoors is an excellent idea to reduce this risk.
Electrical Problems Faulty Wiring
Any electrical problems in your home, such as bad wiring, can put your property at risk for fire. This presents a problem since it's not in plain sight, but there are some things you can watch out for to diagnose 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 a professional electrician or call your landlord to resolve the issue.
Barbecues in Your Yard
For most individuals, a barbecue is a part of their property for the warmer months. Remember, it's imperative that your grill isn't in proximity to anything that can ignite from it. Also, keep it cleaned and maintained on a regular basis, since the buildup that collects in your grill can be a fire risk. Checking your gas bottle consistently is another important step in securing your safety.
Kids
Kids are normally curious, and fire can be appealing to them. Keep any matches or lighters out of reach or hidden to prevent an emergency from arising. Take added care and ensure your children know how to clear the area and that they know their address if they need to call 911.
Contents That Are Flammable
When you're storing your liquids, always look through the label to make sure the contents aren't flammable, otherwise don't keep them by a heat source.
Christmas Trees in the Home
Christmas trees bring holiday joy into the house, but they are also a major fire hazard. Cutting a small section from the trunk will let your tree soak up water, and it's necessary to do this before you set it up. You should also be diligent about making sure your tree gets watered and hydrated. One more thing you should do is turn off your Christmas lights when you go to sleep. Also, you could buy an artificial tree to avert the risk altogether.
Dryers
Fires caused from dryers are very prevalent, and that's why it's integral to keep them clean. To prevent your home from needing fire restoration services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and examine the dryer duct periodically because lint can get trapped in there as well.
Fire Damage Prevention to Your Property
It's difficult to remove all potential risks for fire, but understanding the most typical causes of house fires can eradicate your risk substantially. If you have experienced any fire damage to your house, don't hesitate to call an expert that provides fire restoration services, like Paul Davis. We are a fire restoration company that can have your property recovered back to its previous state.
