The Most Common Causes for Fires in Houses

Home fires can be fearsome, and they materialize more regularly than people might think. More than 300,000 homes throughout the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Association, encounter fire damage in a year. Along with these numbers, businesses like Paul Davis have given fire damage repair services for many homes. The chance of a house fire shouldn’t be left unnoticed, and that’s why it’s great to understand what the most common causes of house fires are. We’ve assembled a list of the most common fire threats so that you can halt a fire from occurring in your home.

Getting Distracted from Cooking

Preparing meals in the home is one of the main culprits to house fires, especially when no one is there to watch the kitchen. Many fire damage repairs have been necessary because of neglected cooking. If you’re required to move away from the kitchen for any reason, make sure someone else is there to monitor the cooking.

Equipment Using Electricity

Appliances that use electricity, such as coffee makers and microwaves need to be monitored and put in locations that aren’t risky. Checkup on your appliances to see if any of the cords are worn out, since that is a major fire hazard. Always follow up that your electrical outlets are not overloaded.

Forgotten Candles

Candles are pleasing items to keep around the home. Although they make for fashionable decorations, they are also an extreme fire hazard. Keep your candles away from possible fire hazards such as magazines, newspapers and curtains, and always blow them out when you leave the room.

Smoking Indoors

When it comes to fire hazards, cigarettes are risky because they can fall to the ground and burn for a few hours. Exiting your house to smoke is an excellent idea to avoid an accident from happening.

A Residence with Bad Wiring

Any electrical complications in your residence, such as damaged wiring, can put your property at risk for fire. This poses an issue since it’s not in plain sight, but there are a few things you can look out for to diagnose 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 get an electrician or contact your landlord.

BBQs & Grills

Having a barbecue may be a main part of your residence, and they’re a wonderful thing to have during the summer. However, check that it’s not close to your home or any plants and trees. Maintaining your barbecue is also crucial since the buildup in it can be a fire hazard. Additionally, you need to inspect the gas bottle frequently for leaks or other potential problems.

Curious Children in the Home

Fire is alluring for the curiosity of a child, and that’s why you need to take every precaution. Hide all matches and lighters in the house to establish the safety of your children. Take added steps and make sure your kids understand how to exit the house and that they know their address if they need to call 911.

Combustible Liquids

Specific liquids should be stored away from any heat source, and you should always examine the label to see if they are a risk for fire.

Christmas Trees & Lights

Christmas trees provide holiday joy into the house, but they are also a risk for home fires. If you like having a live tree, you should cut off a small section from the trunk so the tree has the ability to soak up water. You should also be attentive about watering your tree and keeping it hydrated. One more thing you should do is turn off your Christmas lights when you go to sleep. Furthermore, you could acquire an artificial tree to avoid the risk altogether.

Not Cleaning Out the Lint Trap

Fires produced from dryers are very prevalent, and that’s why it’s necessary 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 frequently because lint can get stuck in there often.

Avoiding Fire Damage

It’s impossible to get rid of all possible fire hazards, but knowing the most common causes of house fires can eliminate your risk substantially. If you have encountered any fire damage to your residence, don’t wait to call a professional that offers fire clean up services, like Paul Davis. We are fire restoration contractors that can have your house restored back to where it was before.