The Most Common Cause for Fire Damage Clean Up Services

Home fires can be alarming, and they happen more regularly than people might think. Based off information by the National Fire Protection Association, there are more than 300,000 house fires annually in the United States, and they are responsible for the injuries and deaths of firefighters and civilians. Professional fire damage restoration companies like Paul Davis have provided many fire clean up services because of these statistics. It’s important to know the most common ways a house fire is caused, because any likelihood for fire shouldn’t be overlooked. We’ve listed out the most common fire risks so that you can counter a fire from happening in your home.

Cooking

Cooking is one of the main causes of house fires, and a fire typically occurs when the stove is isn’t being watched. A lot of houses have needed fire damage repairs because of food being left on the stove with no one to keep an eye on it. If you need to depart from the kitchen for any reason, make sure another person is there to oversee the cooking.

Electrical Current & Your Accessories

Electrical appliances, such as toasters and portable heaters need to be monitored and put in places that aren’t risky. Review your appliances to see if any of the cords are damaged, because that is a great fire hazard. Always verify your electrical outlets are not overloaded.

Candles Left Burning

One of the more satisfying items to keep around the home are candles. They embellish your space and make your home smell nice, but they are also an extreme fire hazard. Make sure to put out your candles before departing the room, and place them in an area where they won’t fall over or ignite other things around them.

Smoking in Your House

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 major issue on your hands. Departing from your home to smoke is an excellent way to avert an accident from happening.

Bad Wiring

Any electrical problems in your residence, such as faulty wiring, can expose your property to fire. Bad wiring is difficult because you can’t always see it, but here are some things to look out for:

  • 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 detect any of these things, call a professional electrician or call your landlord to resolve the issue.

Barbecue Equipment

For most people, a grill is a part of their residence for the summer. Remember, it’s important that your grill isn’t in proximity to anything that can ignite from it. Also, keep it cleaned and maintained frequently, because the buildup that occurs in your grill can be a fire hazard. Additionally, you need to check the gas bottle routinely for leaks or other potential problems.

Children’s Curiosity

Children are naturally curious, and fire can be enticing for them. Keep any matches or lighters out of reach or hidden to prevent a catastrophe from happening. Take added protections and ensure your children know how to clear the area and that they know their address if they need to call 911.

Storing Flammable Liquids

When you’re storing your liquids, always read the label to make sure the substance isn’t flammable, otherwise don’t store them next to a heat source.

Christmas Trees & Lights

Every winter, holiday festivity is provided to the home through Christmas trees along with a potential house fire. Cutting a small section from the base will allow your tree to absorb water, and it’s necessary to do this before you set it up. You should also be active about making sure your tree is watered and hydrated. Another thing you should do is turn off your Christmas lights when you go to sleep. You could favor purchasing an artificial tree to rule out a fire hazard.

Not Cleaning Out the Dryer Duct

Fires produced from dryers are very frequent, and that’s why it’s necessary to keep them maintained. To prevent your residence 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.

Preventing Fire Damage

It’s difficult to remove all possible fire hazards, but knowing the most typical causes of house fires can eradicate your risk significantly. If you have encountered any fire damage to your property, don’t wait to call an expert that provides fire clean up services, like Paul Davis. We are a fire restoration company that can get your home recovered back to its previous state.