What is the Most Common Cause of a Home Fire - Fire Damage Remediation
Fire damage presents itself to houses 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 annually in the United States, and they are liable for the deaths and injuries of both civilians and firefighters. Along with this data, businesses like Paul Davis have provided fire clean up services for many homes. The chance of a house fire shouldn't be overlooked, and that's why it's necessary to understand what the most common causes of house fires are. We've listed out the most common fire threats so that you can inhibit a fire from taking place in your home.
Getting Distracted in the Kitchen
Cooking is one of the main causes of house fires, and a fire usually happens when the stove is neglected. Many homes have needed fire damage restoration services because of food being left on the stove with no one to monitor it. It's a good idea to linger in the kitchen while preparing your food, or to get someone to keep an eye on it if you move away from the room.
Appliances Using Electricity
Your appliances that use electricity can be a fire risk. Checkup on your appliances to see if any of the cords are bad, because that is a major risk for fire. Another thing to watch out for is your outlets. You don't want to overload the circuit.
Candles Left Burning
Candles are nice items to keep around the house. They look great and make your home fragrant, but they are also a severe risk for fire. Make sure to extinguish your candles before departing the room, and put them in a location where they won't fall or ignite other things around them.
Cigarettes
When it comes to fire hazards, cigarettes are dangerous since they can fall to the floor and burn for a long period of time. Exiting your home to smoke is an excellent idea to avert this risk.
A House with Bad Wiring
Any electrical complications in your residence, such as faulty 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 look out for to recognize any faulty wiring in your home:
- 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 problem and get an electrician or contact your landlord.
Barbecue Equipment
Having a barbecue may be a fundamental part of your home, and they're a great thing to have throughout the summer. Remember, it's vital that your barbecue isn't near anything that can catch on fire from it. Maintaining your grill is also important because the buildup in it can be a fire hazard. Examining your gas bottle consistently is another essential step in securing your safety.
Children's Curiosity
Fire is intriguing for a child's curiosity, and that's why you need to take preventative measures. Keep any matches or lighters out of reach or hidden to avoid an emergency from happening. Take extra care and make sure your kids understand how to exit the house and that they know their address if they need to call 911.
Placing Combustible Liquids
Before storing your liquids, look through the label to make sure the contents aren't a fire hazard, otherwise don't store them by a heat source.
Christmas Trees & Lights
Christmas trees deliver holiday joy into the home, but they are also a risk for house fires. If you like having a live tree, it's necessary to cut off an inch from the trunk so the tree can soak up water. Watering your tree regularly and keeping it hydrated is also a vital step. Another thing you should do is turn off your Christmas lights when you go to bed. Additionally, you could buy an artificial tree to avert the risk altogether.
Laundry Machines
Fires generated from dryers are quite prevalent, and that's why it's crucial 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 examine the dryer duct periodically because lint can get stuck in there as well.
Preventing Fire Damage
It's impossible to get rid of all possible risks for fire, but understanding the most frequent causes of house fires can eradicate your risk substantially. If you have experienced any fire damage to your property, don't wait to call a professional that offers fire damage cleaning services, like Paul Davis. We are a fire restoration company that can have your home restored back to its previous state.