Prevention is always better, especially when it comes to fire. Fire is the most dangerous thing that can happen in one’s home. Once your house burns down, you can never bring it back. Before preventing a fire from happening, you should learn about its common causes first. This article will tell you the three common residential fire incidents to watch out for.
#1. Electrical Fires
There are two ways electrical fires happen. One is when short circuits cause a spark that ignites building materials, and the other one is when circuits overload with an electric current.
In the US, electrical problems take up 10 percent of all residential fires, but it is also the most deadly type. In fact, it is responsible for almost 19 percent of deaths due to home fire. One reason behind it is the fact that electrical fires often start in hidden locations. The fire turns massive even before the homeowners realize it. It also often happens at night while they are sleeping.
Fire Prevention Tips:
- Make sure that your home’s electrical system is properly installed.
- Your electrical system should have built-in protective features to protect it from short circuits and current overloading.
- Have a professional electrician check your electrical wirings regularly, especially if you live in an older home.
- Never perform electrical repairs and improvements on your own unless you have the experience and knowledge.
#2. Heating Appliances-Related Fires
Heating appliances are the second leading cause of home fires in the US, taking up 14 percent of the total home fires. In a data shared by the Consumer Products Safety Commission, 25,000 home fires occur in the US each year, causing around 300 deaths.
Appliances such as home space heaters or baseboard heaters can cause a fire when fabrics and other flammable materials are left too close to them. Fuel-generated heaters that require kerosene is one of the most dangerous appliances to have at home. If not correctly used, they can ignite or blow up. Even electric heaters can burn your house down if it has faulty electrical wiring or when fabrics come in contact with its coils.
Fire Prevention Tips:
- When buying and using a heater, make sure to read and follow its instructions carefully.
- Have a regular appliances inspection to make sure they are always in good condition.
- Do not leave your appliance unattended. Make sure there is no heater running when leaving your home.
- For critical appliances such as space heaters, make sure to leave a printed notice or instructions on their proper usage.
- Leave flammable materials away from all types of heaters.
#3. Cooking-Related Fires
Fires that started from cooking is the leading cause of house fires in the US. It makes up 48 percent of the total fire accounted. The main cause behind cooking-related fires is the grease. Grease can be a highly flammable material when it gets around 600 degrees Fahrenheit. Once it reaches that temperature, it will combust instantly even when not in direct contact with fire. This dangerous grease is commonly found on stoves or ovens at home.
Other causes of residential fires related to cooking are portable cooking appliances like electric griddles and toasters, as well as unattended barbecue grills.
Fire Prevention Tips:
- Never leave the kitchen or outdoor barbecue grills on a wooden deck unattended, especially when cooking food that produces grease, like bacon.
- Never leave any appliance running and unsupervised.
- Make sure all home devices are cool enough to touch before storing them.
- Regularly clean your toasters, ovens, and other similar appliances to prevent crumbs from building up inside.
Conclusion
Your home is one of your life’s biggest investments, and one mistake can burn it down and hurt everyone inside. Now that you know the common fire causes to watch out for and some tips to prevent them, you have the control and better advantage in keeping your home safe.
Be responsible and have fire extinguishers around your house. Always schedule fire extinguisher inspection to ensure they are functioning properly. Atlantic Fire Protection can help you with this. We have fire extinguishers services in New Jersey from annual inspections to refills and recharges. Contact us to learn more about our services.