Fire Damage Clean Up - The Most Common Cause of House Fires
House fires can be fearsome, and they materialize more frequently than people might think. More than 300,000 homes throughout the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Association, encounter fire damage annually. Along with these numbers, businesses like Paul Davis have supplied fire damage cleaning services for many homes. It's good to understand the most common ways a house fire is caused, because any chance for fire shouldn't be disregarded. We've organized a list of the most common fire threats so that you can prevent a fire from occurring in your home.
Neglecting Food on the Stove
Cooking is one of the most common causes of house fires, and a fire often ignites when the stove is neglected. Many homes have needed 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 preparing your meals, or to ask someone to monitor it if you exit the room.
Electrical Current & Your Appliances
Appliances that use electricity, such as coffee makers and microwaves need to be watched after and put in locations that aren't risky. If any of your electrical gear has a bad cord, then they are a fire risk. Another thing to keep in mind is your outlets. You don't want to overload the circuit.
Neglected Candles
One of the more great things to have around the home are candles. They embellish your space and make your home aromatic, but they are also an extreme fire hazard. Make sure to extinguish your candles before exiting the room, and put them in a location where they won't fall over or burn other objects around them.
Smoking
Cigarettes have been a fire hazard for decades, considering they can keep burning for a few hours, and if they come into contact with anything flammable, you can have a severe issue on your hands. Smoking outdoors is an excellent method to stay away from this accident.
Bad Wiring
Any electrical problems in your house, such as faulty wiring, can put your property at risk for fire. Bad 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 this is the case for you, resolve the issue and get an electrician or call your landlord.
Grills on Your Property
For most individuals, a barbecue is a part of their home for the summer months. Remember, it's critical that your grill isn't close to anything that can catch on fire from it. Maintaining your barbecue is also important because the buildup in it can put you at risk of fire. Inspecting your gas bottle on a regular basis is another vital step in establishing your safety.
Children
Fire is intriguing 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. You can also teach them how to handle the incident of a fire and to memorize their address in the event they need to call 911.
Contents That Are Flammable
Certain liquids should be kept away from any source of heat, and you should always check the label to see if they are flammable.
Christmas Trees & Lights
Every December, holiday festivity is provided to the home through Christmas trees along with a potential house fire. If you have a live tree, you should cut off an inch from the trunk so the tree can soak up water. Watering your tree frequently and keeping it hydrated is also an important step. Another task you should complete is turning off your Christmas lights when you go to bed. Additionally, you could get an artificial tree to avoid the risk altogether.
Laundry Appliances
Fires caused from dryers are quite prevalent, and that's why it's necessary to keep them maintained. To prevent your property from needing fire clean up services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and check the dryer duct frequently because lint can get trapped in there as well.
Prevention
It's impossible to get rid of all potential fire hazards, but knowing the most typical causes of house fires can remove your risk significantly. If you have encountered any fire damage to your home, don't hesitate to call a professional that provides fire clean up services, like Paul Davis. We are a fire restoration company that can get your property recovered back to its previous state.