The Most Common Causes for Fires in Houses
Fire damage presents itself to houses quite regularly, and they can be an alarming thing to deal with. According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are more than 300,000 house fires annually 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 supplied fire clean up services for many homes. The risk of a house fire shouldn't be ignored, and that's why it's great to understand what the most common causes of house fires are. To ensure your preparedness, we've organized a list of the most common causes of house fires.
Being Distracted from Cooking
Cooking is one of the main causes of house fires, and a fire typically transpires when the stove is isn't being watched. Many fire damage repairs have been required because of forgotten activities in the kitchen. If you need to leave the kitchen for any reason, make sure another person is there to look after the cooking.
Electrical Current & Your Equipment
Electrical appliances, such as coffee makers and microwaves should be checked up on and put in places that aren't risky. If any of your electrical equipment has a worn out cord, then they are a fire risk. Another thing to recognize is your outlets. You don't want to overload the circuit.
Forgotten Candles
One of the more fun features to keep around the home are candles. Despite the fact they make for elegant decorations, they are also an extreme fire hazard. Keep your candles away from potential fire hazards such as magazines, papers and curtains, and always extinguish them when you leave the room.
Cigarettes Inside
When it comes to fire hazards, cigarettes are risky on account of they can fall to the floor and stay lit for a few hours. Leaving your residence to smoke is the best way to avert an accident from occurring.
A Property with Damaged Wiring
Residences with faulty wiring generate electrical problems which can lead to a house fire. This presents an issue since it's not in plain sight, but there are a few things you can watch out for to pinpoint any faulty wiring in your house:
- 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 case for you, resolve the issue and reach out to an electrician or call your landlord.
Barbecues in Your Yard
Having a grill may be a main part of your house, and they're a wonderful thing to have during the summer. However, check that it's not in proximity to your house or any plants and trees. Also, keep it cleaned and maintained regularly, since the buildup that occurs in your grill can be a fire risk. Additionally, you should check the gas bottle consistently for leaks or other potential issues.
Children's Curiosity
Fire is alluring for a child's curiosity, and that's why you need to take preventative measures. Keep any matches or lighters out of reach or hidden to avoid a calamity from developing. Take extra steps and ensure your kids understand how to exit the house and that they know their address if they need to call 911.
Placing Combustible Contents
Before storing your liquids, check the label to make sure the substance isn't flammable, otherwise don't keep them next to a heat source.
Christmas Trees & Lights
Christmas trees provide holiday joy into the home, but they are also a risk for house fires. Cutting a small section from the base will allow your tree to absorb water, and this should be done before you set it up. You should also be diligent about watering your tree and keeping it hydrated. One more task you should complete is turning off your Christmas lights when you go to bed. Also, you could procure an artificial tree to avoid the fire hazard altogether.
Dryers
Fires produced from dryers are quite prevalent, and that's why it's vital to keep them clean. To prevent your house from needing fire remediation services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and examine the dryer duct periodically because lint can get trapped in there often.
Preventing Fire Damage
It's difficult to remove all possible fire hazards, but understanding the most frequent causes of house fires can eliminate your risk substantially. If you have experienced any fire damage to your residence, don't wait to call an expert that provides fire remediation services, like Paul Davis. We are a fire restoration company that can get your residence recovered back to its previous state.
