Every year, there are between 350,000-400,000 house fires that result in a whopping $8 billion in damages.
Whether or not you realize it, residential fires are incredibly and heartbreakingly common throughout the United States. Every year, there are between 350,000-400,000 house fires that result in a whopping $8 billion in damages. Residential fires can cause huge property damage and cause irreparable harm to your family and pets. Here are four of the most common causes of residential fires, so that you can take steps to protect your home and family from their tragic effects.
Cooking
An amazing 40% of residential fires are caused as a result of cooking, like a stove or oven left unattended. It might seem like only a few seconds when you run into another room to check your phone or dash to the bathroom, but fires only take a few seconds to start. Always turn off the stove, oven, and any other cooking appliances when leaving home or the room.
Smoking
If you are a smoker, make sure to keep your cigarette smoking outside of your home, even during cold months. Cigarettes are lit objects that can cause a massive amount of damage if they make contact with anything flammable (like a couch, chair, or carpet). Keeping smoke outside of the home will ensure that a residential fire is less likely to happen to you.
Electrical
Electrical problems are another common cause of residential fires. Extension cords and overloaded outlets are a fact of life now as we all use many different chargers and electronic devices at the same time. However, an outdated outlet or overloaded circuit can cause a huge electrical fire at your home. Update your power strips so that they turn off if overloaded to prevent a residential fire.
Candles
Everyone loves candles, but leaving a candle lit when you leave your room or home can ignite your home. Blow out candles the moment that you leave the room, even if you are just briefly heading somewhere else. The extra trouble to blow out a candle is much less than the extra trouble to rebuild your home.
Commercial and Residential Fire Prevention from Judd Fire Protection
If you want to ensure your home and business are safe throughout the year, trust Judd Fire Protection, LLC. We have over two decades of experience with design, installation, service, and inspection of residential and commercial fire protection systems. We service clients throughout the Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and West Virginia. If you are interested in finding out more about our services and protecting your home and business, give us a call at 410-871-3480 or contact us online. For more fire safety tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.