No one should ever have to experience a house fire. If a house fire gets out of control, it has the potential to be immensely destructive. In a worst-case scenario, it can even lead to the loss of human life. In order to mitigate the risk of a house fire, it’s a good idea first to review the most common sources of fires in residential spaces. Here are the three most common causes of residential fires, and how to prevent them.
In order to mitigate the risk of a house fire, you have to know how they start. Here are some of their most common causes.
Cooking
Beyond any doubt, the leading cause of residential fires in the United States is cooking. Thankfully, there are definite steps you can take to reduce the risk of a fire starting from your kitchen. Without exception, you should never leave the kitchen while you are cooking. Things can spiral out of control at a rapid rate. If you absolutely have to, be sure that you have turned the burner off. Be sure to review your best practices during the event of a grease fire as well.
But even responsible cooks are not completely immune to kitchen fires. We can’t stress this enough: you should have a fire extinguisher somewhere in your kitchen. You’d be amazed how many households don’t follow this one simple guideline which can easily avert disaster.
Heating Equipment
Heating equipment comes in second behind cooking as the leading cause of residential fires in our nation. Space heaters are the main culprit here. But you should be aware that anything that produces heat—from heat lamps to fireplaces—has the potential to cause a fire. In most instances, the risk of a fire can be reduced by placing the heating element far away from any flammables, such as carpet, textiles, or paper. In the case of fireplaces, creosote build-up is the main culprit. Be sure to have a professional chimney inspection at least once annually, and a professional sweeping if they deem it necessary.
Electrical Fires
Finally, electrical fires are the third-most leading cause of residential fires in the United States. Essentially, an electrical fire is a fire that occurs due to faulty wires, cables, or circuit breakers. These might be especially scary for homeowners because it might seem like they are out of control. But don’t be fooled; in most instances, electrical fires can be avoided if you do your due diligence. Be sure to inspect cords and plugs for any signs of damage. Replacing all your two-pronged outlets with three-pronged ones is a good start, too. Instead of overloading an outlet or extension cord, consider investing in surge protectors.
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 in designing, installing, inspecting, and repairing residential and commercial fire protection systems. We serve clients throughout 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.