What is the Most Common Cause of a House Fire - Fire Damage Remediation
Fire damage presents itself to homes quite frequently, and they can be a scary thing to deal with. More than 300,000 homes across America, 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 homes. The potential of a house fire shouldn't be overlooked, and that's why it's good to know what the most common causes of house fires are. For your preparation, we've compiled a set of the most common causes of house fires.
Being Distracted in the Kitchen
Preparing meals in the home is one of the primary culprits to house fires, especially when no one is there to watch the kitchen. Many fire damage repairs have been necessary because of unattended cooking. If it's necessary for you to retire from the kitchen for any reason, make sure someone else is there to look after the cooking.
Accessories Using Electricity
Anything that uses an electrical current in your house can act as a fire risk. Look over your appliances to see if any of the cords are bad, because that is a great fire hazard. Always verify your electrical outlets are not overloaded.
Candles Left Unattended
One of the more satisfying items to place around the home are candles. Even though they make for ornate decorations, they are also a major fire hazard. Make sure to blow out your candles before exiting the room, and put them in a location where they won't fall over or burn other objects around them.
Smoking Inside
When it comes to fire hazards, cigarettes are dangerous on account of they can drop on the ground and burn for a long period of time. Smoking outdoors is the best way to avoid this accident.
Faulty Wiring
Any electrical problems in your home, such as damaged wiring, can put your property at risk for fire. This presents a problem because it's not in plain sight, but there are some things you can watch out for to identify 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 you detect any of these things, call a professional electrician or call your landlord to resolve the problem.
Barbecue Equipment
Having a grill may be a fundamental part of your house, and they're a great thing to have throughout the summer. Nevertheless, check that it's not in proximity to your home or any plants and trees. Also, keep it cleaned and maintained on a regular basis, because the buildup that occurs in your grill can be a fire risk. Additionally, you should examine the gas bottle frequently for leaks or other possible issues.
Children
Fire is intriguing for a child's curiosity, and that's why you need to take preventative measures. Hide all matches and lighters in the house to ensure the safety of your children. Take additional protections and ensure your kids know how to clear the area and that they know their address if they need to call 911.
Storing Combustible Contents
Specific liquids should be stored away from any heat source, and you should always examine the label to see if they are flammable.
Christmas Trees & Lights
Every winter, holiday joy is delivered to the home through Christmas trees along with a possible 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 ensuring your tree gets watered and hydrated. Before going to sleep for the night, make sure your Christmas lights are turned off as well. You could consider buying an artificial tree to prevent a fire hazard.
Dryers
Fires caused from dryers are rather common, and that's why it's critical to keep them maintained. To prevent your house from needing fire damage cleaning services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and examine the dryer duct consistently because lint can get stuck in there often.
Preventing Fire Damage
It's impossible to get rid of all possible fire hazards, but understanding the most frequent causes of house fires can eradicate your risk significantly. If you have encountered any fire damage to your house, don't hesitate to call a professional that offers fire damage cleaning services, like Paul Davis. We are a fire damage restoration company that can get your property restored back to where it was before.
