The Most Common Causes for Fires in Homes

Fire damage occurs to homes quite frequently, and they can be an alarming thing to deal with. The National Fire Protection Association has recorded that more than 300,000 houses in America come across fire damage annually. Along with these numbers, businesses like Paul Davis have given fire damage repair services for many homes. It’s important to know the most common ways a house fire is caused, because any chance for fire shouldn’t be disregarded. We’ve listed out the most common fire threats so that you can prevent a fire from happening in your home.

Not Paying Attention While Cooking

Cooking is one of the primary causes of house fires, and a fire usually occurs when the stove is isn’t being watched. Many fire remediation services have been required because of forgotten activities in the kitchen. It’s a good idea to stay in the kitchen while cooking, or to have someone to keep an eye on it if you leave the room.

Electrical Current & Your Appliances

Your electrical equipment and appliances can pose as a fire hazard. Look over your appliances to see if any of the cords are defective, because that is a major risk for fire. Another thing to recognize is your outlets. You don’t want to overload the circuit.

Forgotten Candles

One of the more great features to keep around the home are candles. Even though they make for elegant decorations, they are also a primary risk for fire. Keep your candles away from possible fire hazards such as books, newspapers and curtains, and always blow them out when you leave the room.

Cigarettes Inside

When it comes to fire hazards, cigarettes are dangerous since they can fall to the ground and stay lit for a long period of time. Exiting your home to smoke is an excellent idea to bypass an accident from happening.

Bad Wiring

Any electrical issues in your residence, such as bad wiring, can put your property at risk for fire. This presents an issue because it’s not in plain sight, but there are some things you can look out for to pinpoint 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 your dilemma, resolve the issue and reach out to an electrician or contact your landlord.

Grills

For most people, a grill is a part of their home for the summer months. Yet, make sure it’s not nearby your house or any plants and trees. Cleaning your grill is also critical because the buildup in it can be a fire hazard. Additionally, you should check the gas bottle regularly for leaks or other potential issues.

Children’s Curiosity

Fire is alluring for a child’s curiosity, and that’s why it’s necessary to take every precaution. Keep any matches or lighters out of reach or hidden to prevent an accident from arising. You can also teach them what to do in the incident of a fire and to memorize their address in case they need to call 911.

Contents That Are Flammable

Before storing your liquids, check the label to make sure the contents aren’t flammable, otherwise don’t keep them by a heat source.

Christmas Trees in the House

Christmas trees deliver holiday cheer into the home, but they are also a big fire hazard. If you have a live tree, it’s necessary to cut off an inch from the trunk so the tree is able to soak up water. You should also be earnest about watering your tree and keeping it hydrated. Before going to bed for the night, make sure your Christmas lights are turned off as well. Furthermore, you could purchase an artificial tree to avoid the risk altogether.

Dryer Ducts

Fires produced from dryers are rather prevalent, and that’s why it’s vital to keep them maintained. To prevent your residence from needing fire clean up services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and examine the dryer duct consistently because lint can get stuck in there as well.

Preventing Fire Damage

It’s difficult to remove all possible fire hazards, but knowing the most typical causes of house fires can eradicate your risk substantially. If you have experienced any fire damage to your home, don’t hesitate to call an expert that offers fire clean up services, like Paul Davis. We are a fire restoration company that can get your residence brought back to where it was before.