What is the Most Common Cause of a House Fire – Fire Damage Remediation
Fire damage occurs to houses quite frequently, and they can be a scary thing to deal with. The National Fire Protection Association has documented that 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. Fire restoration contractors like Paul Davis have performed many fire restoration services because of this data. The risk of a house fire shouldn’t be neglected, and that’s why it’s good 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 inhibit a fire from taking place in your home.
Leaving Food on the Stove
Cooking is one of the primary causes of house fires, and a fire often ignites when the stove is left alone. Many houses have been in need of fire damage repairs because of food being left on the stove with no one to keep an eye on it. If it’s necessary for you to exit the kitchen for any reason, make sure someone else is there to oversee the cooking.
Electrical Current & Your Devices
Electrical appliances, such as toasters and portable heaters need to be watched after and put in places that aren’t risky. If any of your electrical gear has a bad cord, then they are a fire hazard. Consistently check to see that your electrical outlets are not being overused.
Candles Left Neglected
Candles are pleasant objects to place around the home. They embellish your space and make your home fragrant, but they are also an extreme risk for fire. Keep your candles away from potential fire hazards such as magazines, newspapers and curtains, and always make sure the wick isn’t burning when you leave the room.
Smoking Indoors
Cigarettes have been a fire hazard for decades, considering they can keep burning for a few hours, and if they come into contact with anything flammable, you can have a severe problem on your hands. Exiting your residence to smoke is an excellent idea to bypass an accident from happening.
Bad Wiring
Residences with faulty wiring create electrical problems which can lead to a house fire. Bad wiring is problematic because you can’t always see it, but here are a few things to look 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 dilemma, resolve the problem and reach out to an electrician or contact your landlord.
Grills on Your Property
For most people, a barbecue is a part of their home for the warmer months. Yet, check that it’s not near your home or any plants and trees. Cleaning your barbecue is also important since the buildup in it can be a fire hazard. Inspecting your gas bottle consistently is another crucial step in ensuring your safety.
Children’s Curiosity
Fire is enticing for a child’s curiosity, and that’s why it’s crucial to take preventative measures. Hide all matches and lighters in your home to establish the safety of your children. You can also educate them how to deal with the situation of a fire and to memorize their address in case they need to call 911.
Storing Combustible Contents
Before storing your liquids, look through the label to make sure the substance isn’t a fire hazard, otherwise don’t keep them next to a heat source.
Having a Christmas Tree in Your Residence
Every winter, holiday cheer is provided to the home through Christmas trees along with a probable house fire. If you have a live tree, you should cut off an inch from the trunk so the tree has the ability to absorb water. Watering your tree regularly and keeping it hydrated is also an important step. Before going to bed for the evening, make sure your Christmas lights are turned off as well. Also, you could buy an artificial tree to avert the fire hazard altogether.
Lint Traps
Fires produced from dryers are quite frequent, and that’s why it’s integral to keep them maintained. To prevent your house from needing fire clean up services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and examine the dryer duct periodically because lint can get trapped in there often.
Prevention
It’s difficult to get rid of all possible fire hazards, but understanding the most typical causes of house fires can remove your risk substantially. If you have encountered any fire damage to your residence, don’t wait to call a professional that provides fire clean up services, like Paul Davis. We are fire restoration contractors that can have your home recovered back to its previous state.
