Fire Damage Restoration - The Most Common Factor of Home Fires
House fires are a frightening thing, and they occur more often than people might think. The National Fire Protection Association has reported that more than 300,000 houses throughout the United States come across fire damage in a year. Along with these numbers, businesses like Paul Davis have supplied fire clean up services for many houses. The risk of a house fire shouldn't be ignored, and that's why it's necessary to understand what the most common causes of house fires are. We've arranged a list of the most common fire threats so that you can avoid a fire from taking place in your home.
Cooking
Cooking is one of the primary causes of house fires, and a fire typically flares up when the stove is neglected. A lot of houses have been in need of fire clean up services because of food being left on the stove with no one to keep an eye on it. If you're required to move away from the kitchen for any reason, make sure someone else is there to monitor the cooking.
Appliances Using Electricity
Your appliances that use electricity can pose as a fire hazard. If any of your electrical appliances have a bad cord, then they are a fire hazard. Another thing to recognize is your outlets. Don't plug too many things into them.
Forgotten Candles
One of the more fun features to have around the home are candles. Even though they make for ornate decorations, they are also an extreme risk for fire. Make sure to extinguish your candles before exiting the room, and put them in an area where they won't fall over or ignite other things around them.
Smoking Indoors
Cigarettes have been a fire hazard for a long time, because 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. Exiting your house to smoke is the best approach to avert this risk.
Electrical Issues Faulty Wiring
Any electrical issues in your house, such as defective wiring, can expose your property to fire. This presents a problem since it's not in plain sight, but there are a few things you can watch out for to recognize 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 this is your dilemma, resolve the problem and get an electrician or call your landlord.
Barbecues in Your Yard
Having a grill may be a main part of your house, and they're an excellent thing to have throughout the summer. Yet, check that it's not nearby your home or any plants and trees. Maintaining your barbecue is also important since the buildup in it can put you at risk of fire. Additionally, you need to check the gas bottle routinely for leaks or other possible problems.
Curious Children in the House
Children are naturally curious, and fire can be exciting for them. Keep any matches or lighters out of reach or hidden to prevent an emergency from developing. Take additional protections and ensure your kids understand how to evacuate the house and that they know their address if they need to call 911.
Contents That Are Flammable
Certain liquids should be stored away from any heat source, and you should always check the label to see if they are flammable.
Christmas Trees & Lights
Every December, holiday cheer is brought into the home through Christmas trees along with a probable house fire. If you have a live tree, you should cut off an inch 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. Another thing you should do is turn off your Christmas lights when you go to bed. You could favor buying an artificial tree to limit a fire hazard.
Lint Traps
Fires produced from dryers are quite frequent, and that's why it's vital to keep them clean. To prevent your house from needing fire restoration services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and examine the dryer duct consistently because lint can get trapped in there often.
Prevention
It's difficult to remove all possible risks for fire, but knowing the most common causes of house fires can remove your risk significantly. If you have experienced any fire damage to your house, don't wait to call an expert that provides fire restoration services, like Paul Davis. We are fire restoration contractors that can have your home restored back to its previous state.