The Most Common Causes for Fires in Homes

House fires can be daunting, and they happen more often than people might think. The National Fire Protection Association has documented that there are more than 300,000 house fires a year in the United States, and they are liable for the injuries and deaths of firefighters and civilians. Professional fire damage repair companies like Paul Davis have executed many fire restoration services because of these numbers. The risk of a house fire shouldn’t be disregarded, and that’s why it’s good to know what the most common causes of house fires are. We’ve compiled a list of the most common fire threats so that you can prevent a fire from occurring in your home.

Inattentive While Cooking

Making meals in the home is one of the main culprits to house fires, especially when no one is there to oversee the actions in the kitchen. Many fire damage repairs have been needed because of forgotten cooking. It’s critical to wait in the kitchen while cooking, or to ask someone to keep an eye on it if you exit the room.

Electrical Equipment

Anything that uses electricity in your house can be a fire hazard. Checkup on your appliances to see if any of the cords are damaged, because that is a major fire hazard. Another thing to recognize is your outlets. Don’t plug too many things into them.

Candles Left Behind

One of the more enjoyable features to keep around the home are candles. Despite the fact they make for elegant decorations, they are also an extreme fire hazard. Keep your candles away from probable fire hazards such as magazines, papers and draperies, and always extinguish them when you leave the room.

Cigarettes

When it comes to fire hazards, cigarettes are risky since they can drop on the floor and stay lit for a long period of time. Leaving your house to smoke is the best approach to avoid an accident from happening.

Electrical Issues Defective Wiring

Residences with damaged wiring create electrical issues which can lead to a house fire. Defective wiring is puzzling because you can’t always see it, but here are some things to look out for:

  • 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 you detect any of these things, call an expert electrician or contact your landlord to resolve the problem.

BBQs & Grills

Having a barbecue may be a main part of your property, and they’re a wonderful thing to have throughout the summer. Remember, it’s imperative that your barbecue isn’t nearby anything that can catch on fire from it. Also, keep it cleaned and maintained frequently, because the buildup that occurs in your barbecue can be a fire hazard. Additionally, you need to examine the gas bottle regularly for leaks or other possible problems.

Children

Fire is intriguing for the curiosity of a child, and that’s why it’s necessary to take preventative measures. Keep any matches or lighters out of reach or hidden to prevent an emergency from happening. You can also train them what to do in the situation of a fire and to memorize their address in the event they need to call 911.

Contents That Are Combustible

Certain liquids should be stored away from any source of heat, and you should always look through the label to see if they are flammable.

Having a Christmas Tree in Your Home

Christmas trees provide holiday festivities into the home, but they are also a big fire hazard. If you like having a live tree, you should cut off a small section from the trunk so the tree is able to soak up water. You should also be active about watering your tree and keeping it hydrated. Before turning in for the evening, check to see that your Christmas lights are turned off as well. You could favor buying an artificial tree to prevent a fire hazard.

Laundry Machines

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

Preventing Fire Damage

It’s difficult to remove all possible fire hazards, but understanding the most frequent causes of house fires can eliminate your risk substantially. If you have encountered any fire damage to your house, don’t wait to call a professional that provides fire restoration services, like Paul Davis. We are a fire restoration company that can have your house restored back to its previous state.