What is the Most Common Cause of a Home Fire – Fire Damage Restoration

Home fires are scary, and they transpire more frequently than people might think. The National Fire Protection Association has accounted that there are more than 300,000 house fires annually in the United States, and they are liable for the deaths and injuries of firefighters and civilians. Along with these statistics, businesses like Paul Davis have given fire clean up services for many properties. The potential of a house fire shouldn’t be left unnoticed, and that’s why it’s good to know what the most common causes of house fires are. We’ve assembled a list of the most common fire threats so that you can inhibit a fire from occurring in your home.

Not Paying Attention When Cooking

Cooking is one of the main causes of house fires, and a fire usually ignites when the stove is isn’t being watched. A lot of properties have needed fire clean up services because of food being left on the stove with no one to monitor it. If you’re required to retire from the kitchen for any reason, make sure another person is there to look after the cooking.

Electrical Current & Your Devices

Anything that uses electricity in your residence can act as a fire risk. If any of your electrical gear has a frayed cord, then they are a fire hazard. Consistently determine that your electrical outlets are not overloaded.

Candles in Your Residence

Candles are pleasant objects to place around the house. Even though they make for great decorations, they are also a huge fire hazard. Make sure to blow out your candles before leaving the room, and place them in a location where they won’t fall or burn other things around them.

Cigarettes

When it comes to fire hazards, cigarettes are risky because they can fall to the floor and stay lit for a long period of time. Leaving your house to smoke is an excellent approach to avert this risk.

Electrical Issues Faulty Wiring

Any electrical complications in your home, such as bad wiring, can put your property at risk for fire. Faulty wiring is difficult because you can’t always see it, but here are a few things to watch 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 notice any of these things, contact an expert electrician or contact your landlord to resolve the issue.

BBQs & Grills

For most people, a barbecue is a part of their property for the summer. Remember, it’s imperative that your barbecue isn’t close to anything that can catch on fire from it. Maintaining your barbecue is also crucial since the buildup in it can be a fire hazard. Inspecting your gas bottle regularly is another necessary step in securing your safety.

Curious Kids in the Home

Kids are normally curious, and fire can be intriguing for them. Keep any matches or lighters out of reach or hidden to prevent an accident from happening. You can also train them what to do in the incident of a fire and to memorize their address in the event they need to call 911.

Liquids That Are Flammable

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

Christmas Trees During the Winter

Christmas trees bring holiday joy into the house, but they are also a risk for house fires. Cutting a small section from the trunk will allow your tree to soak up water, and it’s necessary to do this before it is placed in the tree stand. Watering your tree frequently and keeping it hydrated is also a crucial step. One more task you should complete is turning off your Christmas lights when you go to bed. Additionally, you could acquire an artificial tree to avoid the fire hazard altogether.

Lint Traps

Fires generated from dryers are rather prevalent, and that’s why it’s integral 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 often.

Fire Damage Prevention to Your Home

It’s impossible to remove all possible risks for fire, but understanding the most typical causes of house fires can eradicate your risk substantially. If you have encountered any fire damage to your residence, don’t wait to call a professional that offers fire restoration services, like Paul Davis. We are fire restoration contractors that can get your property restored back to where it was before.