5 Common Causes of House Fires

1/5/2018 (Permalink)

Fire is one of the most hazardous types of damage that can wreak havoc on your home. While safety measures can be put in place to combat fire (like having a fire extinguisher handy or a fire alarm system installed), knowing what the common causes are can be a good first step in preventing fire.

Cooking Equipment

According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking fires are ranked as the number one cause of house fires in the United States. It’s important to always be alert and aware when cooking in your kitchen, and to not leave items unattended. Pots and pans can easily overheat, food can burn, and any time large quantities of grease or oil are involved they can spray and splatter, taking only seconds to ignite into flame. Be sure to keep an eye on your cooking area at all times, and remove any combustible items like dish towels, paper towels and oven mitts so there are no flammable objects within range.

Electrical Equipment

Electrical fires are one of the most common threats homeowners face. From overloaded electrical outlets to malfunctioning appliances, fires can start quickly and grow strong. Be careful not to overload your circuits or leave lights on overnight, and if you can, start conducting an annual inspection of your home’s electrical systems. This will help you identify and locate any faulty wiring, damaged outlets or other issues your system may have.

Smoking

Smoking is a major contributor to house fires that occur in the United States each year. Lit cigarettes accidentally dropped somewhere in the home can quickly ignite its surroundings and build to dangerous levels of fire and smoke. The best way to significantly reduce the risk of this happening is to stop smoking altogether or by smoking outdoors. However, if you choose to smoke inside your home, take proper precautionary measures: don’t smoke in your bedroom or forget to extinguish your cigarette if you become drowsy. Use large, deep ashtrays, and keep them away from anything that will burn. And finally, check around for any fallen embers and properly dispose of them as soon as possible.

Dryers

This one may surprise some people, but your dryer could pose as a major hazard for your home if not properly maintained. When lint and dust build up over time, the dryer vent becomes clogged with highly flammable materials. When you run your dryer, it exposes the vent to high temperatures that can cause the build up to combust. Regularly cleaning your dryer’s lint trap and routinely inspecting the vent for blockage is the best way to avoid this potential danger.

Candles

Candles provide wonderful aromas and stunning ambiance to any room, but can be hazardous the moment you neglect them. Always blow out a candle before you leave a room – an unattended open flame is asking for trouble, and can quickly lead to a house fire. In addition to blowing it out, be sure to clear away any flammable materials from the vicinity of the candle prior to lighting it. Trimming the wick can also help reduce the size of the flame, better containing it.

If you are worried about any of these hazards that may exist in your home or have any questions, feel free to call our team of professionals here at SERVPRO of Bay County. We’ll be happy to assist you!