What is the Most Common Cause of a House Fire - Fire Damage Repair
House fires are scary, and they transpire more often than people might think. More than 300,000 homes throughout the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Association, encounter fire damage in a year. Along with this data, businesses like Paul Davis have given fire clean up services for many properties. The chance of a house fire shouldn't be ignored, and that's why it's necessary to understand what the most common causes of house fires are. To better prepare yourself, we've assembled a set of the most common causes of house fires.
Being Distracted in the Kitchen
Cooking is one of the main causes of house fires, and a fire often occurs when the stove is neglected. Many fire damage repairs have been needed because of neglected cooking. If you're required to leave the kitchen for any reason, make sure someone else is there to look after the cooking.
Appliances Using Electricity
Any electrical equipment and appliances can act as a fire hazard. If any of your electrical equipment has a bad cord, then they are a fire risk. Another thing to remember is your outlets. For your safety, limit what you plug into them.
Candles in Your Home
Candles are refreshing items to keep around the house. They look great and make your house smell nice, but they are also a huge fire hazard. Keep your candles away from potential fire hazards such as magazines, papers and draperies, and always make sure the wick isn't burning when you leave the room.
Cigarettes in Your Home
Cigarettes have been a fire hazard for decades, since they can keep burning for a few hours, and if they come into contact with anything flammable, you can have a major issue on your hands. Smoking outside is an excellent way to reduce this hazard.
A Property with Bad Wiring
Properties with faulty wiring generate electrical issues which can lead to a house fire. This presents a problem 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 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 this is the situation for you, fix the issue and reach out to an electrician or call your landlord.
Barbecues & Grills
For most individuals, a grill is a part of their home for the summer months. Remember, it's necessary that your grill isn't close to anything that can ignite from it. Cleaning your grill is also important because the buildup in it can put you at risk of fire. Examining your gas bottle on a regular basis is another crucial step in ensuring your safety.
Children
Fire is enticing for a child's curiosity, and that's why it's important to take every precaution. Keep any matches or lighters out of reach or hidden to avoid an emergency from occurring. You can also teach them what to do in the situation of a fire and to memorize their address in the event they need to call 911.
Storing Flammable Liquids
When you're storing your liquids, always look through the label to make sure the contents aren't flammable, otherwise don't keep them next to a heat source.
Christmas Tree
Christmas trees bring holiday cheer into the house, but they are also a big fire hazard. If you like having a live tree, you should cut off an inch from the trunk so the tree is able to absorb water. You should also be vigilant about watering your tree and keeping it hydrated. Before turning in for the evening, make sure your Christmas lights are turned off too. You could consider acquiring an artificial tree to prevent a fire hazard.
Not Cleaning Out the Lint Trap
Fires caused from dryers are rather frequent, and that's why it's critical to keep them maintained. To prevent your home from needing fire clean up services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and check 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 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 property, don't wait to call an expert that provides fire clean up services, like Paul Davis. We are fire restoration contractors that can have your house recovered back to its previous state.
