What is the Most Common Cause of a House Fire - Fire Damage Restoration
House fires can be daunting, and they transpire more often than people might think. The National Fire Protection Association has listed that more than 300,000 houses in America encounter fire damage annually. Along with these numbers, businesses like Paul Davis have given 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 neglected. We've listed out the most common fire risks so that you can counter a fire from taking place in your home.
Inattentive While Cooking
Cooking is one of the more common causes of house fires, and a fire often flares up when the stove is neglected. Many fire clean up services have been required because of unattended activities in the kitchen. If you're required to exit the kitchen for any reason, make sure another person is there to monitor the cooking.
Electrical Current & Your Appliances
Any appliances that use electricity can act as a fire risk. If any of your electrical appliances have a frayed cord, then they are a fire hazard. Always make sure your electrical outlets are not crowded.
Forgotten Candles
One of the more enjoyable items to have around the home are candles. Although they make for great decorations, they are also an extreme risk for fire. Make sure to extinguish your candles before departing the room, and place them in an area where they won't fall or burn other things around them.
Cigarettes
When it comes to fire hazards, cigarettes are dangerous because they can fall to the ground and stay lit for a long period of time. Smoking outdoors is the best method to reduce this risk.
Damaged Wiring
Any electrical issues in your house, such as bad wiring, can put your property at risk for fire. This presents an issue since it's not in plain sight, but there are some things you can look out for to identify any faulty wiring in your house:
- 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, fix the problem and get an electrician or contact your landlord.
BBQs & Grills
For most people, a barbecue is a part of their home for the summer. Remember, it's critical that your barbecue isn't near anything that can catch on fire from it. Also, have it cleaned and maintained on a regular basis, since the buildup that occurs in your barbecue can be a fire risk. Additionally, you should examine the gas bottle frequently for leaks or other possible issues.
Kids
Fire is intriguing for a child's curiosity, and that's why it's crucial to take preventative measures. Keep any matches or lighters out of reach or hidden to avoid a catastrophe from occurring. Take added steps and ensure your children understand how to vacate the house and that they know their address if they need to call 911.
Contents That Are Combustible
When you're storing your liquids, always examine the label to make sure the substance isn't flammable, otherwise don't keep them next to a heat source.
Christmas Trees During December
Every winter, holiday festivity is provided to the home through Christmas trees along with a potential house fire. Cutting an inch from the base will allow your tree to absorb water, and it's necessary to do this before it goes in the tree stand. Watering your tree frequently and keeping it hydrated is also a crucial step. One more task you should complete is turning off your Christmas lights when you go to bed. You could consider getting an artificial tree to avoid a fire hazard.
Dryers Not Being Maintained
Fires generated from dryers are rather common, and that's why it's crucial to keep them clean. 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 frequently because lint can get stuck in there often.
Prevention
It's impossible to remove all possible fire hazards, but knowing the most typical causes of house fires can eradicate your risk significantly. If you have experienced any fire damage to your house, 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 house brought back to its previous state.