What is the Most Common Cause of a Home Fire - Fire Damage Remediation
Fire damage happens to houses quite often, and they can be an alarming thing to deal with. The National Fire Protection Association has listed that more than 300,000 houses across the United States experience fire damage in a year. Fire restoration contractors like Paul Davis have done many fire clean up services because of this data. The feasibility of a house fire shouldn't be neglected, 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 risks so that you can inhibit a fire from happening in your home.
Leaving Food on the Stove
Making meals in the house is one of the main culprits to house fires, especially when no one is there to oversee the activities in the kitchen. Many properties have been in need of fire damage repairs because of food being left on the stove with no one to lookout after it. It's a good idea to wait in the kitchen while cooking, or to have someone to keep an eye on it if you leave the room.
Your Electrical Accessories
Anything that uses electricity in your residence can act as a fire hazard. If any of your electrical appliances have a bad cord, then they are a fire hazard. Furthermore, what you need to recognize is your outlets. You don't want to overload the circuit.
Candles Left Behind
One of the more great pieces to keep around the house are candles. While they make for elegant decorations, they are also an extreme risk for fire. Keep your candles away from likely fire hazards such as books, newspapers and draperies, and always blow them out when you leave the room.
Smoking Indoors
Cigarettes have been a fire hazard for decades, because they can keep burning for a few hours, and if they come into contact with anything flammable, you can have a huge issue on your hands. Smoking outside is an excellent method to avoid this accident.
A House with Bad Wiring
Homes with defective wiring create electrical issues which can lead to a house fire. This presents a problem since it's not in plain sight, but there are some things you can watch out for to diagnose any faulty wiring in your house:
- 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, contact an expert electrician or contact your landlord to resolve the problem.
BBQs & Grills
Having a grill may be an essential part of your house, and they're a fine thing to have throughout the summer months. Yet, make sure it's not nearby your house or any plants and trees. Also, keep it cleaned and maintained routinely, since the buildup that occurs in your grill can be a fire hazard. Additionally, you should inspect the gas bottle frequently for leaks or other possible issues.
Children
Fire is attractive for a child's curiosity, and that's why you need to take every precaution. Keep any matches or lighters out of reach or hidden to avoid an accident from developing. Take extra care and ensure your kids know how to exit the house and that they know their address if they need to call 911.
Placing Combustible Contents
Certain 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 During the Winter
Christmas trees bring holiday festivities into the house, but they are also a big fire hazard. If you like having a live tree, you should cut off an inch from the trunk so the tree can absorb water. Watering your tree consistently and keeping it hydrated is also a crucial step. Another thing you should do is turn off your Christmas lights when you go to bed. Furthermore, you could buy an artificial tree to avert the risk altogether.
Lint Traps
Fires caused from dryers are quite frequent, and that's why it's necessary to keep them maintained. To prevent your house from needing fire remediation services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and check the dryer duct regularly because lint can get trapped in there as well.
Prevention
It's impossible to remove all possible risks for fire, but knowing the most typical causes of house fires can remove your risk substantially. If you have encountered any fire damage to your residence, don't hesitate to call a professional that provides fire remediation services, like Paul Davis. We are fire restoration contractors that can get your property brought back to where it was before.