What is the Most Common Cause of a House Fire - Fire Damage Remediation
Fire damage presents itself to homes quite often, and they can be an alarming thing to deal with. Based off data by the National Fire Protection Association, there are more than 300,000 house fires a year in the United States, and they are liable for the injuries and deaths of firefighters and civilians. Fire restoration contractors like Paul Davis have provided many fire damage cleaning services because of this data. The likelihood of a house fire shouldn't be overlooked, and that's why it's important to know what the most common causes of house fires are. We've composed 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 main causes of house fires, and a fire typically flares up when the stove is isn't being watched. Many fire remediation services have been required because of unattended activities in the kitchen. If it's necessary for you to move away from the kitchen for any reason, make sure someone else is there to oversee the cooking.
Electrical Accessories
Electrical appliances, such as coffee makers and microwaves need to be checked up on and put in places that aren't risky. Checkup on your appliances to see if any of the cords are defective, since that poses a major fire hazard. Another thing to be cautious about is your outlets. For your safety, restrict what you plug into them.
Forgotten Candles
One of the more nice features to have around the house are candles. They enhance your space and make your house aromatic, but they are also a severe fire hazard. Keep your candles away from potential fire hazards such as magazines, papers and curtains, and always blow them out when you leave the room.
Smoking in Your House
Cigarettes have been a fire hazard for decades, since they can keep burning for a few hours, and if they come into contact with anything flammable, you can have a big problem on your hands. Smoking outside is the best approach to avoid this hazard.
Electrical Problems Damaged Wiring
Any electrical problems in your house, such as damaged wiring, can put your property at risk for fire. This presents a problem since it's not in plain sight, but there are some things you can look out for to diagnose 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 situation for you, resolve the problem and get an electrician or contact your landlord.
BBQ Equipment
Having a barbecue may be an essential part of your property, and they're an excellent thing to have during the summer months. Remember, it's vital that your barbecue isn't in proximity to anything that can catch on fire from it. Also, keep it cleaned and maintained frequently, since the buildup that collects in your barbecue can be a fire hazard. Examining your gas bottle on a regular basis is another essential step in ensuring your safety.
Children's Curiosity
Fire is appealing for the curiosity of a child, and that's why you need to take every precaution. Hide all matches and lighters in the house to keep your children secure. You can also train them what to do in the incident of a fire and to memorize their address in case they need to call 911.
Flammable Liquids
Before storing your liquids, check the label to make sure the contents aren't a fire hazard, otherwise don't store them next to a heat source.
Having a Christmas Tree in Your Residence
Every December, holiday festivity is provided to the home through Christmas trees along with a possible house fire. If you like having a live tree, you should cut off an inch from the trunk so the tree has the ability to soak up water. You should also be diligent about ensuring your tree gets watered and hydrated. Another thing you should do is turn off your Christmas lights when you go to bed. Also, you could buy an artificial tree to avert the fire hazard altogether.
Laundry Appliances
Fires caused from dryers are very frequent, and that's why it's vital to keep them maintained. To prevent your property from needing fire clean up services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and examine the dryer duct regularly because lint can get stuck in there as well.
Prevention
It's impossible to remove all possible risks for fire, but understanding the most typical 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 offers fire clean up services, like Paul Davis. We are a fire clean up company that can have your residence recovered back to its previous state.
