Home fires are scary, and they happen more frequently than people might think. The National Fire Protection Association has listed that more than 300,000 houses throughout the United States suffer from fire damage in a year. Along with these statistics, businesses like Paul Davis have supplied fire clean up services for many homes. The feasibility of a house fire shouldn’t be ignored, and that’s why it’s great to understand what the most common causes of house fires are. We’ve arranged a list of the most common fire risks so that you can avert a fire from occurring in your home.
Not Paying Attention While Cooking
Preparing meals in the house is one of the primary culprits to house fires, especially when no one is there to watch the kitchen. Many houses have been in need of fire damage repairs because of food being left on the stove with no one to lookout after it. If it’s necessary for you to exit the kitchen for any reason, make sure someone else is there to oversee the cooking.
Appliances Using Electricity
Electrical appliances, such as coffee makers and microwaves should be checked up on and put in locations that aren’t risky. If any of your electrical equipment has a bad cord, then they are a fire risk. Furthermore, what you need to be careful with is your outlets. You don’t want to overload the circuit.
Candles Left Ignited
One of the more pleasant features to have around the house are candles. Although they make for great decorations, they are also an extreme risk for fire. Make sure to put out your candles before leaving the room, and put them in an area where they won’t fall over or ignite other objects around them.
Smoking Inside
When it comes to fire hazards, cigarettes are dangerous since they can drop on the ground and stay lit for a few hours. Exiting your house to smoke is an excellent idea to avert an accident from happening.
Faulty Wiring
Homes with bad wiring create electrical problems which can lead to a house fire. This presents an issue since 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 the case for you, fix the problem and get an electrician or contact your landlord.
Barbecue Equipment
Having a barbecue may be an essential part of your house, and they’re an excellent thing to have during the summer months. However, check that it’s not nearby your home or any plants and trees. Maintaining your grill is also important because the buildup in it can put you at risk of fire. Examining your gas bottle consistently is another vital step in establishing your safety.
Children’s Curiosity
Children are naturally curious, and fire can be attractive to them. Keep any matches or lighters out of reach or hidden to prevent an accident from happening. Take additional care and ensure your kids understand how to evacuate the house and that they know their address if they need to call 911.
Liquids That Are Flammable
When you’re storing your liquids, always look through the label to make sure the substance isn’t flammable, otherwise don’t keep them by a heat source.
Christmas Trees During December
Christmas trees deliver holiday joy into the house, but they are also a major fire hazard. If you have a live tree, it’s necessary to cut off an inch from the trunk so the tree has the ability to soak up water. Watering your tree consistently and keeping it hydrated is also a crucial step. Another thing you should do is turn off your Christmas lights when you go to sleep. You could favor getting an artificial tree to avoid a fire hazard.
Not Cleaning Out the Dryer Duct
Fires generated from dryers are very frequent, and that’s why it’s critical to keep them maintained. To prevent your property from needing fire damage cleaning services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and check the dryer duct frequently because lint can get stuck in there often.
Prevention
It’s difficult to remove all possible fire hazards, but understanding the most frequent causes of house fires can remove your risk significantly. If you have encountered any fire damage to your property, don’t wait to call a professional that provides fire restoration services, like Paul Davis. We are fire restoration contractors that can have your home brought back to where it was before.
