What is the Most Common Cause of a House Fire - Fire Damage Restoration
House fires can be alarming, and they materialize more regularly than people might think. Based off information 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. Along with this data, businesses like Paul Davis have supplied fire clean up services for many homes. It's important to understand the most common ways a house fire is caused, because any possibility for fire shouldn't be ignored. To ensure your preparedness, we've organized a collection of the most common causes of house fires.
Not Paying Attention While Cooking
Making meals in the house is one of the primary culprits to house fires, especially when no one is there to keep an eye on the kitchen. Many fire clean up services have been necessary because of forgotten activities in the kitchen. It's a good idea to stay in the kitchen while cooking, or to ask someone to monitor it if you depart from the room.
Electrical Current & Your Devices
Appliances that use electricity, such as toasters and portable heaters need to be checked up on and put in locations that aren't risky. Review your appliances to see if any of the cords are malfunctioning, because that poses a major fire hazard. Another thing to remember is your outlets. For your safety, check what you plug into them.
Candles in Your House
One of the more pleasant items to have around the home are candles. Even though they make for elegant decorations, they are also a primary fire hazard. Keep your candles away from probable fire hazards such as magazines, papers and curtains, and always extinguish them when you leave the room.
Cigarettes
When it comes to fire hazards, cigarettes are risky on account of they can drop on the floor and stay lit for a long period of time. Smoking outside is the best approach to stay away from this risk.
Electrical Issues Faulty Wiring
Homes with damaged wiring create electrical problems which can lead to a house fire. This poses a problem because it's not in plain sight, but there are some things you can look out for to diagnose any faulty wiring in your residence:
- 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.
Barbecues on Your Property
For most individuals, a barbecue is a part of their property for the summer. Nevertheless, check that it's not close to your house or any plants and trees. Also, have it cleaned and maintained frequently, because the buildup that occurs in your grill can be a fire risk. Checking your gas bottle on a regular basis is another vital step in securing your safety.
Curious Kids in the House
Fire is appealing for the curiosity of a child, and that's why it's necessary to take every precaution. Hide all matches and lighters in your home to secure the safety of your children. You can also teach them how to handle the circumstance of a fire and to memorize their address in case they need to call 911.
Liquids That Are Flammable
When you're storing your liquids, always check the label to make sure the contents aren't a fire hazard, otherwise don't store them by a heat source.
Christmas Trees in the Home
Every December, holiday joy is delivered to the home through Christmas trees along with a possible house fire. Cutting a small section from the base will allow your tree to soak up water, and it's necessary to do this before it is placed in the tree stand. Watering your tree consistently and keeping it hydrated is also an important step. Another thing you should do is turn off your Christmas lights when you go to sleep. You could consider purchasing an artificial tree to limit a fire hazard.
Clothing Dryers
Fires caused from dryers are very frequent, and that's why it's integral to keep them clean. To prevent your residence from needing fire damage cleaning services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and examine the dryer duct frequently because lint can get trapped in there often.
Prevention
It's difficult to get rid of all possible risks for fire, but understanding the most typical causes of house fires can remove your risk significantly. If you have experienced any fire damage to your property, don't wait to call an expert that offers fire damage cleaning services, like Paul Davis. We are fire restoration contractors that can get your home brought back to where it was before.