Fire Damage Restoration – The Most Common Cause of Residential Fires

Home fires are a frightening thing, and they transpire more frequently than people might think. The National Fire Protection Association has documented that more than 300,000 houses in America come across fire damage annually. Along with these statistics, businesses like Paul Davis have provided fire damage cleaning services for many properties. The chance of a house fire shouldn’t be disregarded, and that’s why it’s necessary to know what the most common causes of house fires are. For your preparation, we’ve composed a category of the most common causes of house fires.

Not Paying Attention While Cooking

Making meals in the house is one of the main culprits to house fires, especially when no one is there to watch the kitchen. Many fire clean up services have been needed because of neglected activities in the kitchen. If it’s necessary for you to leave the kitchen for any reason, make sure another person is there to keep an eye on the cooking.

Electrical Current & Your Equipment

Any electrical equipment and appliances can act as a fire risk. If any of your electrical gear has a bad cord, then they are a fire hazard. Also, what you need to recognize is your outlets. You don’t want to overload the circuit.

Neglected Candles

One of the more enjoyable items to place around the house are candles. They enhance your space and make your house smell nice, but they are also a huge fire hazard. Make sure to blow out your candles before departing the room, and put them in an area where they won’t fall or burn other things around them.

Cigarettes Indoors

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 big issue on your hands. Leaving your home to smoke is the best idea to bypass this risk.

Electrical Problems Damaged Wiring

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

  • 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 contact your landlord.

Barbecues in Your Yard

Having a grill may be an essential part of your home, and they’re an excellent thing to have during the summer. However, make sure it’s not nearby your house or any plants and trees. Also, have it cleaned and maintained on a regular basis, since the buildup that collects in your grill can be a fire risk. Additionally, you should check the gas bottle consistently for leaks or other potential issues.

Children in the Home

Fire is intriguing for the curiosity of a child, and that’s why you need to take preventative measures. Hide all matches and lighters in your home to keep your children free from harm. You can also educate them how to deal with the incident of a fire and to memorize their address in the event they need to call 911.

Placing Flammable Liquids

Before storing your liquids, look through the label to make sure the contents aren’t flammable, otherwise don’t keep them by a heat source.

Having a Christmas Tree in Your Residence

Christmas trees provide holiday joy into the house, but they are also a huge fire hazard. If you have a live tree, it’s necessary to cut off a small section from the trunk so the tree can absorb water. Watering your tree regularly and keeping it hydrated is also a necessary step. One more thing you should do is turn off your Christmas lights when you go to sleep. You could consider getting an artificial tree to prevent a fire hazard.

Not Cleaning Out the Dryer Duct

Fires caused from dryers are very frequent, and that’s why it’s vital to keep them clean. To prevent your home from needing fire clean up services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and examine the dryer duct periodically because lint can get trapped in there often.

Prevent Fire Damage to Your Residence

It’s impossible to remove all potential risks for fire, but knowing the most common causes of house fires can eradicate your risk significantly. If you have encountered any fire damage to your house, don’t wait to call an expert that provides fire clean up services, like Paul Davis. We are fire restoration contractors that can have your property brought back to where it was before.