The Most Common Cause for Fire Damage Remediation Services
House fires can be fearsome, and they transpire more often than people might think. The National Fire Protection Association has shown that more than 300,000 houses throughout America suffer from fire damage annually. Along with this data, businesses like Paul Davis have supplied fire clean up services for many homes. The likelihood of a house fire shouldn't be neglected, and that's why it's important to understand what the most common causes of house fires are. To ensure your preparedness, we've composed a collection of the most common causes of house fires.
Forgetting Food on the Stove
Preparing meals in the house is one of the prime culprits to house fires, especially when no one is there to monitor the kitchen. Many fire clean up services have been needed because of forgotten activities in the kitchen. If you need to retire from the kitchen for any reason, make sure someone else is there to monitor the cooking.
Electrical Accessories
Appliances that use electricity, such as toasters and portable heaters need to be watched after and put in areas that aren't risky. Look over your appliances to see if any of the cords are malfunctioning, since that is a major risk for fire. Furthermore, what you need to watch out for is your outlets. You don't want to overload the circuit.
Candles
Candles are refreshing things to place around the house. They look great and make your house aromatic, but they are also a severe risk for fire. Make sure to extinguish your candles before exiting the room, and put them in a location where they won't fall or ignite other objects around them.
Smoking Indoors
When it comes to fire hazards, cigarettes are risky because they can drop on the ground and stay lit for a long period of time. Exiting your home to smoke is an excellent idea to avert an accident from occurring.
Electrical Problems Bad Wiring
Any electrical issues in your house, such as damaged wiring, can put your property at risk for fire. This presents a problem since it's not in plain sight, but there are a few things you can look 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 you recognize any of these things, call a professional electrician or contact your landlord to fix the issue.
Barbecues
Having a barbecue may be an essential part of your house, and they're an excellent thing to have throughout the summer. Nevertheless, make sure it's not in proximity to your house or any plants and trees. Also, keep it cleaned and maintained on a regular basis, since the buildup that collects in your barbecue can be a fire hazard. Inspecting your gas bottle on a regular basis is another crucial step in establishing your safety.
Children
Fire is enticing for the curiosity of a child, and that's why you need to take every precaution. Keep any matches or lighters out of reach or hidden to avoid a calamity from arising. Take extra care and ensure your kids understand how to clear the area and that they know their address if they need to call 911.
Contents That Are Combustible
Certain liquids should be kept away from any source of heat, and you should always read the label to see if they are flammable.
Christmas Trees & Lights
Christmas trees deliver holiday joy into the house, but they are also a huge fire hazard. If you have a live tree, you should cut off a small section from the trunk so the tree is able to soak up water. Watering your tree regularly and keeping it hydrated is also an important step. One more thing you should do is turn off your Christmas lights when you go to sleep. You could favor getting an artificial tree to limit a fire hazard.
Lint Traps
Fires generated from dryers are quite prevalent, and that's why it's crucial to keep them clean. To prevent your house from needing fire damage cleaning services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and check the dryer duct consistently because lint can get stuck in there often.
Fire Damage Prevention to Your House
It's impossible to get rid of all possible fire hazards, but knowing the most frequent causes of house fires can remove your risk significantly. If you have encountered any fire damage to your residence, don't hesitate to call a professional that offers fire damage cleaning services, like Paul Davis. We are a fire damage restoration company that can have your property recovered back to its previous state.