Fire Damage Restoration - The Most Common Cause of House Fires
Fire damage happens to homes quite frequently, and they can be an alarming thing to deal with. More than 300,000 homes throughout America, according to the National Fire Protection Association, suffer from fire damage annually. Fire remediation companies like Paul Davis have performed many fire clean up services because of these statistics. It's necessary to know the most common ways a house fire is caused, because any probability for fire shouldn't be ignored. We've organized a list of the most common fire hazards so that you can avert a fire from occurring in your home.
Being Distracted in the Kitchen
Cooking is one of the more common causes of house fires, and a fire typically ignites when the stove is neglected. Many properties have needed fire clean up services 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 keep an eye on the cooking.
Electrical Current & Your Accessories
Electrical appliances, such as coffee makers and microwaves need to be monitored and put in places that aren't risky. If any of your electrical appliances have a bad cord, then they are a fire risk. Consistently double-check that your electrical outlets are not being overused.
Candles in Your House
One of the more nice things to keep around the house are candles. Although they make for great decorations, they are also an extreme risk for fire. Keep your candles away from probable fire hazards such as books, papers and curtains, and always blow them out when you leave the room.
Smoking Inside
When it comes to fire hazards, cigarettes are dangerous since they can fall to the floor and stay lit for a few hours. Departing from your residence to smoke is an excellent idea to avert this risk.
Bad Wiring
Any electrical complications in your house, such as defective wiring, can expose your property to fire. This poses a problem because it's not in plain sight, but there are a few things you can look out for to diagnose 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 your predicament, resolve the problem and reach out to an electrician or contact your landlord.
BBQ Equipment
For most people, a grill is a part of their property for the summer. However, check that it's not nearby your house or any plants and trees. Also, have it cleaned and maintained on a regular basis, because the buildup that occurs in your barbecue can be a fire hazard. Checking your gas bottle routinely is another essential step in establishing your safety.
Children's Curiosity
Children are typically curious, and fire can be appealing to them. Keep any matches or lighters out of reach or hidden to avoid an accident from arising. Take extra precautions and make sure your kids know how to vacate the house and that they know their address if they need to call 911.
Placing Flammable Liquids
Before storing your liquids, examine the label to make sure the contents aren't a fire hazard, otherwise don't store them next to a heat source.
Christmas Trees During December
Christmas trees provide holiday cheer into the house, but they are also a major fire hazard. If you have a live tree, you should cut off a small section from the trunk so the tree is able to absorb water. You should also be diligent about making sure your tree is watered and hydrated. Before turning in for the night, make sure your Christmas lights are turned off as well. You could consider acquiring an artificial tree to counter a fire hazard.
Laundry Appliances
Fires produced from dryers are quite common, and that's why it's necessary to keep them maintained. To prevent your house from needing fire clean up services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and check the dryer duct frequently because lint can get stuck in there often.
Preventing Fire Damage
It's difficult to get rid of all potential fire hazards, but knowing the most frequent causes of house fires can eliminate your risk substantially. If you have encountered any fire damage to your property, don't hesitate to call a professional that provides fire clean up services, like Paul Davis. We are fire restoration contractors that can have your house recovered back to where it was before.
