Fire Damage Restoration - The Most Common Cause of Residential Fires
Home fires can be daunting, and they transpire more frequently 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 provided fire clean up services for many properties. It's good to know the most common ways a house fire is caused, because any possibility for fire shouldn't be disregarded. We've listed out the most common fire hazards so that you can prevent a fire from occurring in your home.
Not Paying Attention While Cooking
Cooking is one of the more common causes of house fires, and a fire often transpires when the stove is isn't being watched. Many fire clean up services have been necessary because of forgotten cooking. If you need to leave the kitchen for any reason, make sure someone else is there to monitor the cooking.
Electrical Accessories
Anything that uses electricity in your property can be a fire hazard. Review your appliances to see if any of the cords are malfunctioning, since that poses a great fire hazard. Another thing to remember is your outlets. For your safety, limit what you plug into them.
Candles
Candles are welcoming items to have around the home. They are decorative and make your home aromatic, but they are also a severe fire hazard. Make sure to extinguish your candles before exiting the room, and put them in an area where they won't fall over or burn other things around them.
Smoking Inside
Cigarettes have been a fire hazard for decades, since they can stay lit for a few hours, and if they come into contact with anything flammable, you can have a big issue on your hands. Smoking outdoors is the best approach to stay away from this hazard.
Faulty Wiring
Homes with damaged wiring generate electrical problems which can lead to a house fire. Faulty wiring is puzzling because you can't always see it, but here are some things to watch out for:
- 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, fix the issue and get an electrician or call your landlord.
Barbecues on Your Property
For most people, a barbecue is a part of their home for the summer. Remember, it's imperative that your grill isn't near anything that can catch on fire from it. Maintaining your barbecue is also necessary since the buildup in it can be a fire hazard. Examining your gas bottle on a regular basis is another crucial step in securing your safety.
Children
Children are usually curious, and fire can be appealing to them. Keep any matches or lighters out of reach or hidden to prevent an emergency from developing. You can also educate them how to handle the situation of a fire and to memorize their address in the event they need to call 911.
Liquids That Are Flammable
When you're storing your liquids, always read the label to make sure the contents aren't a fire hazard, otherwise don't store them by a heat source.
Christmas Trees During December
Every winter, holiday festivity is delivered to the home through Christmas trees along with a probable house fire. Cutting an inch from the base will let your tree absorb water, and this should be done before you set it up. You should also be active about ensuring your tree gets watered and hydrated. Before turning in for the evening, make sure your Christmas lights are turned off as well. You could favor acquiring an artificial tree to counter a fire hazard.
Dryers
Fires caused from dryers are quite prevalent, and that's why it's vital to keep them clean. To prevent your home from needing fire damage cleaning services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and check the dryer duct regularly because lint can get stuck in there often.
Preventing Fire Damage
It's impossible to remove all potential risks for fire, but knowing the most common causes of house fires can remove your risk substantially. If you have encountered any fire damage to your property, don't hesitate to call an expert that provides fire damage cleaning services, like Paul Davis. We are a fire damage restoration company that can have your property brought back to its previous state.
