What is the Most Common Cause of a House Fire – Fire Damage Remediation

House fires are a frightening thing, and they materialize more frequently than people might think. More than 300,000 homes across the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Association, experience fire damage in a year. Along with this data, businesses like Paul Davis have given fire clean up services for many properties. The likelihood of a house fire shouldn’t be disregarded, and that’s why it’s great to understand what the most common causes of house fires are. To better prepare yourself, we’ve compiled a selection of the most common causes of house fires.

Being 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. A lot of properties have needed fire damage repairs because of food being left on the stove with no one to keep an eye on it. If it’s necessary for you to depart from the kitchen for any reason, make sure someone else is there to oversee the cooking.

Appliances Using Electricity

Electrical appliances, such as toasters and portable heaters need to be watched after and put in places that aren’t risky. Review your appliances to see if any of the cords are worn out, because that is a great risk for fire. Always confirm that your electrical outlets are not being overused.

Candles in Your Property

One of the more pleasant things to place around the house are candles. They look great and make your house fragrant, but they are also a big risk for fire. Make sure to blow out your candles before exiting the room, and put them in a location where they won’t fall or burn other objects around them.

Smoking in Your Property

Cigarettes have been a fire hazard for a long time, considering they can keep burning for a few hours, and if they come into contact with anything flammable, you can have a major problem on your hands. Smoking outdoors is an excellent approach to reduce this hazard.

A Home with Defective Wiring

Any electrical complications in your home, such as faulty wiring, can put your property at risk for fire. This presents a problem because it’s not in plain sight, but there are a few things you can look out for to recognize any faulty wiring in your property:

  • 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 catch any of these things, contact a professional electrician or contact your landlord to fix the problem.

Barbecues on Your Property

For most people, a grill is a part of their home for the warmer months. However, make sure it’s not near your home or any plants and trees. Also, have it cleaned and maintained routinely, because the buildup that collects in your grill can be a fire risk. Inspecting your gas bottle frequently is another important step in securing your safety.

Kids

Kids are normally curious, and fire can be enticing for them. Hide all matches and lighters in your home to secure the safety of your children. Take additional protections and make sure your kids understand how to evacuate the house and that they know their address if they need to call 911.

Liquids That Are Flammable

When you’re storing your liquids, always examine the label to make sure the contents aren’t a fire hazard, otherwise don’t store them by a heat source.

Christmas Trees & Lights

Every December, holiday cheer is delivered to the home through Christmas trees along with a potential house fire. Cutting a small section from the base will allow your tree to soak up water, and this should be done before it goes in the tree stand. Watering your tree frequently and keeping it hydrated is also an essential step. Before turning in for the night, check to see that your Christmas lights are turned off too. You could consider getting an artificial tree to avoid a fire hazard.

Clothing Dryers

Fires caused from dryers are rather common, and that’s why it’s critical to keep them maintained. To prevent your property from needing fire restoration services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and check the dryer duct frequently because lint can get stuck in there often.

Prevention

It’s difficult to get rid of all possible fire hazards, but knowing the most frequent causes of house fires can eradicate your risk substantially. If you have encountered any fire damage to your house, don’t wait to call an expert that offers fire restoration services, like Paul Davis. We are fire restoration contractors that can get your property restored back to its previous state.