What is the Most Common Cause of a House Fire - Fire Damage Repair
House fires can be fearsome, and they materialize more frequently than people might think. According to 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 supplied fire damage restoration services for many properties. The prospect of a house fire shouldn't be overlooked, and that's why it's good to know what the most common causes of house fires are. For your preparation, we've compiled a category of the most common causes of house fires.
Inattentive While Cooking
Making meals in the house is one of the prime culprits to house fires, especially when no one is there to watch the kitchen. Many fire damage restoration services have been required because of neglected cooking. If you need to leave the kitchen for any reason, make sure someone else is there to monitor the cooking.
Equipment Using Electricity
Electrical appliances, such as toasters and portable heaters need to be checked up on and put in areas that aren't risky. If any of your electrical appliances have a frayed cord, then they are a fire risk. Also, what you need to remember is your outlets. You don't want to overload the circuit.
Candles in Your Residence
Candles are charming things to place around the house. Despite the fact they make for fashionable decorations, they are also a major risk for fire. Make sure to blow out your candles before departing the room, and place them in an area where they won't fall or burn other objects around them.
Cigarettes
Cigarettes have been a fire hazard for a long time, 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. Smoking outside is an excellent way to reduce this hazard.
Faulty Wiring
Any electrical issues in your residence, such as bad wiring, can put your property at risk for fire. Faulty wiring is puzzling 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 the situation for you, resolve the problem and reach out to an electrician or contact your landlord.
BBQ Equipment
For most people, a grill is a part of their home for the summer. Remember, it's important that your grill isn't close to anything that can catch on fire from it. Also, keep it cleaned and maintained on a regular basis, since the buildup that collects in your grill can be a fire risk. Additionally, you need to check the gas bottle routinely for leaks or other potential problems.
Children
Children are typically curious, and fire can be alluring to them. Hide all matches and lighters in the house to keep your children secure. Take additional protections and ensure your kids know how to vacate the house and that they know their address if they need to call 911.
Placing Combustible Liquids
When you're storing your liquids, always look through the label to make sure the contents aren't flammable, otherwise don't store them by a heat source.
Christmas Trees in the Home
Every December, holiday festivity is delivered to the home through Christmas trees along with a possible house fire. Cutting an inch from the base will allow your tree to absorb water, and it's necessary to do this before it is placed in the tree stand. Watering your tree regularly and keeping it hydrated is also a vital step. One more task you should complete is turning off your Christmas lights when you go to sleep. Furthermore, you could acquire an artificial tree to avoid the fire hazard altogether.
Lint Traps
Fires generated from dryers are rather common, and that's why it's necessary to keep them clean. To prevent your property from needing fire damage cleaning services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and examine the dryer duct consistently because lint can get trapped in there often.
Prevention
It's difficult to get rid of all potential fire hazards, but knowing the most frequent causes of house fires can eliminate your risk substantially. If you have experienced any fire damage to your home, don't wait to call an expert that offers fire damage cleaning services, like Paul Davis. We are fire restoration contractors that can have your house restored back to where it was before.