The Most Common Cause for Fire Damage Restoration Services
Home fires are a frightening thing, and they transpire more frequently than people might think. The National Fire Protection Association has listed that more than 300,000 houses throughout the United States suffer from fire damage annually. Along with these statistics, businesses like Paul Davis have given fire clean up services for many homes. It's important to understand the most common ways a house fire is caused, because any potential for fire shouldn't be disregarded. For your preparation, we've compiled a set of the most common causes of house fires.
Getting Distracted in the Kitchen
Making meals in the home is one of the prime culprits to house fires, especially when no one is there to oversee the actions in the kitchen. Many homes have needed 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 leave the kitchen for any reason, make sure another person is there to oversee the cooking.
Accessories Using Electricity
Anything that uses an electrical current in your home can act as a fire risk. Checkup on your appliances to see if any of the cords are faulty, because that poses a major risk for fire. Regularly make sure your electrical outlets are not being overused.
Candles in Your Room
Candles are delightful items to keep around the home. Although they make for great decorations, they are also a huge risk for fire. Keep your candles away from possible fire hazards such as books, newspapers and draperies, and always blow them out when you leave the room.
Cigarettes
Cigarettes have been a fire hazard for decades, since they can stay lit for a few hours, and if they come into contact with anything flammable, you can have a severe problem on your hands. Departing from your home to smoke is the best idea to bypass this risk.
Electrical Problems Bad Wiring
Residences with bad wiring produce electrical issues which can lead to a house fire. This poses a problem because it's not in plain sight, but there are a few things you can watch out for to recognize any faulty wiring in your residence:
- 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 situation for you, fix the problem and get an electrician or call your landlord.
Grills in Your Yard
Having a grill may be a main part of your residence, and they're a wonderful thing to have throughout the summer months. Remember, it's vital that your grill isn't nearby anything that can catch on fire from it. Maintaining your grill is also necessary because the buildup in it can put you at risk of fire. Examining your gas bottle regularly is another crucial step in establishing your safety.
Children
Fire is alluring for a child's curiosity, and that's why you need to take preventative measures. Keep any matches or lighters out of reach or hidden to avoid a calamity from occurring. Take added protections and make sure your children understand how to clear the area and that they know their address if they need to call 911.
Combustible Liquids
Before storing your liquids, look through the label to make sure the contents aren't a fire hazard, otherwise don't store them by a heat source.
Christmas Tree
Christmas trees bring holiday cheer into the house, but they are also a big fire hazard. If you have a live tree, you should cut off a small section from the trunk so the tree has the ability to soak up water. Watering your tree frequently and keeping it hydrated is also an important step. Before going to sleep for the evening, make sure your Christmas lights are turned off too. Additionally, you could procure an artificial tree to refrain from the fire hazard altogether.
Dryer Ducts
Fires produced from dryers are rather common, and that's why it's integral to keep them clean. To prevent your residence from needing fire clean up services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and inspect the dryer duct periodically because lint can get trapped in there often.
Prevention
It's impossible to get rid of all potential risks for fire, but knowing the most typical causes of house fires can eliminate your risk significantly. If you have experienced 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 have your residence brought back to where it was before.