The Most Common Cause for Fire Damage Clean Up Services
Fire damage presents itself to houses quite regularly, and they can be a frightening thing to deal with. The National Fire Protection Association has chronicled 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 these numbers, businesses like Paul Davis have provided fire damage repair services for many properties. It's good to know the most common ways a house fire is caused, because any potential for fire shouldn't be disregarded. We've listed out the most common fire risks so that you can counter a fire from happening in your home.
Cooking in the Kitchen
Preparing 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 properties have needed fire damage repairs because of food being left on the stove with no one to keep an eye on it. If it's necessary for you to exit the kitchen for any reason, make sure another person is there to oversee the cooking.
Appliances Using Electricity
Appliances that use electricity, such as coffee makers and microwaves need to be watched after and put in areas that aren't risky. If any of your electrical equipment has a worn out cord, then they are a fire hazard. Constantly verify your electrical outlets are not overloaded.
Candles Left Unattended
One of the more fun features to place around the house are candles. While they make for elegant decorations, they are also a huge fire hazard. Keep your candles away from possible 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 decades, because 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. Smoking outdoors is an excellent idea to reduce this risk.
Electrical Issues Defective Wiring
Any electrical complications in your home, such as damaged wiring, can expose your property to fire. Defective wiring is puzzling because you can't always see it, but here are some 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 catch any of these things, call a professional electrician or call your landlord to resolve the issue.
Barbecues on Your Property
Having a barbecue may be a fundamental part of your property, and they're a great thing to have during the summer. Remember, it's vital that your barbecue isn't nearby anything that can catch on fire from it. Cleaning your grill is also necessary since the buildup in it can put you at risk of fire. Additionally, you need to check the gas bottle consistently for leaks or other possible problems.
Children
Fire is alluring for the curiosity of a child, and that's why you need to take every precaution. Keep any matches or lighters out of reach or hidden to avoid a calamity from occurring. You can also educate them what to do in the situation of a fire and to memorize their address in the event they need to call 911.
Liquids That Are Combustible
When you're storing your liquids, always check 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
Every winter, holiday festivity is delivered to the home through Christmas trees along with a viable house fire. Cutting an inch from the trunk will allow your tree to absorb water, and it's necessary to do this before you set it up. You should also be attentive about watering your tree and keeping it hydrated. One more thing you should do is turn off your Christmas lights when you go to bed. Furthermore, you could purchase an artificial tree to avoid the fire hazard altogether.
Dryers Not Being Maintained
Fires caused from dryers are rather frequent, and that's why it's important to keep them clean. To prevent your property from needing fire clean up services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and inspect the dryer duct consistently because lint can get stuck in there often.
Avoid Fire Damage to Your Residence
It's difficult to remove all possible fire hazards, but understanding the most frequent causes of house fires can remove your risk substantially. If you have experienced any fire damage to your property, don't hesitate to call an expert that offers fire clean up services, like Paul Davis. We are fire restoration contractors that can get your property recovered back to its previous state.
