The Most Common Factors for Fires in Houses
Fire damage occurs to homes quite frequently, and they can be a scary thing to deal with. More than 300,000 homes throughout the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Association, experience fire damage annually. Along with these statistics, businesses like Paul Davis have supplied fire clean up services for many homes. It's good to understand the most common ways a house fire is caused, because any probability for fire shouldn't be ignored. We've arranged a list of the most common fire threats so that you can prevent a fire from happening in your home.
Not Paying Attention While Cooking
Cooking is one of the main causes of house fires, and a fire typically ignites when the stove is isn't being watched. Many homes have needed fire remediation services because of food being left on the stove with no one to watch it. It's critical to remain in the kitchen while cooking, or to ask someone to keep an eye on it if you exit the room.
Electrical Current & Your Equipment
Your appliances that use electricity can act as a fire risk. If any of your electrical appliances have a worn out cord, then they are a fire hazard. Regularly make sure your electrical outlets are not overloaded.
Candles in Your Room
One of the more nice things to keep around the house are candles. While they make for elegant decorations, they are also a huge risk for fire. Make sure to put out your candles before leaving the room, and place them in a location where they won't fall over or burn other things around them.
Cigarettes Inside
Cigarettes have been a fire hazard for a long time, because they can stay lit for a few hours, and if they come into contact with anything flammable, you can have a severe problem on your hands. Departing from your residence to smoke is the best idea to bypass an accident from happening.
A Residence with Damaged Wiring
Any electrical issues in your house, such as damaged wiring, can expose your property to 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 property:
- 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, fix the problem and reach out to an electrician or contact your landlord.
Grills
For most individuals, a barbecue is a part of their home for the summer. Remember, it's important that your barbecue isn't near anything that can ignite from it. Cleaning your barbecue is also important because the buildup in it can put you at risk of fire. Additionally, you need to examine the gas bottle regularly for leaks or other potential issues.
Kids
Kids are typically curious, and fire can be appealing to them. Keep any matches or lighters out of reach or hidden to avoid an emergency from taking effect. Take added protections and make sure your kids understand how to vacate the house and that they know their address if they need to call 911.
Placing Combustible Contents
Before storing your liquids, examine the label to make sure the contents aren't a fire hazard, 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 danger for home fires. If you have a live tree, it's necessary to cut off an inch from the trunk so the tree is able to soak up water. You should also be active about watering your tree and keeping it hydrated. Another thing you should do is turn off your Christmas lights when you go to sleep. Also, you could acquire an artificial tree to avert the risk altogether.
Laundry Machines
Fires produced from dryers are very prevalent, and that's why it's vital to keep them clean. To prevent your property from needing fire damage cleaning services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and inspect the dryer duct consistently because lint can get trapped in there as well.
Avoid Fire Damage to Your Residence
It's impossible to remove all potential risks for fire, but knowing the most frequent causes of house fires can remove your risk substantially. If you have encountered any fire damage to your home, don't hesitate to call a professional that provides fire damage cleaning services, like Paul Davis. We are fire restoration contractors that can have your house restored back to where it was before.
