Household fires are a common problem not to be ignored. Not only can fires cause a huge amount of damage to your home but they put the lives of you and your family at risk. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there are over 350,000 house fires every year in the United States alone.
Fortunately, there are many things that you can do to reduce the risk of fire, as many of the major causes of fire can be eliminated with proper safety precautions and a little bit of common sense. Below are 3 of the most common household fire hazards to watch out for.
To prevent these risks be sure to use common sense and practice basic safety precautions.
Make sure to turn off any cooking equipment after using. Follow all cooking instructions closely, and be careful when using kitchen items.
Be sure that there are no flammable materials around cooking areas and surfaces. Unplug portable kitchen appliances when not in use and clean up all grease and oil spills immediately.
Fortunately, there are many things that you can do to reduce the risk of fire, as many of the major causes of fire can be eliminated with proper safety precautions and a little bit of common sense. Below are 3 of the most common household fire hazards to watch out for.
1. Cooking
The majority of household fires are a result of cooking accidents. When people leave a hot stove or oven turned on, they put their home at risk of fire.To prevent these risks be sure to use common sense and practice basic safety precautions.
Make sure to turn off any cooking equipment after using. Follow all cooking instructions closely, and be careful when using kitchen items.
Be sure that there are no flammable materials around cooking areas and surfaces. Unplug portable kitchen appliances when not in use and clean up all grease and oil spills immediately.
2. Electrical Systems
Electrical systems, particularly lighting sources, are another major cause of household fires. Lighting sources account for the majority of electrical fires and offer a considerable risk for your home.Each year, more than $1 billion of property damage occurs each year due to electrical issues.
Be extra careful when setting up and maintaining the electrical systems in your home. Make sure that a qualified professional takes care of all of the wiring in your home and assure that electrics are properly installed.
Also, be sure to avoid using frayed and damaged cords. Be extra wary of overloading any power outlets in your home.
3. Candles
Candles can also offer a risk for your home. It can only take a few minutes of leaving an open flame unattended before an immense amount of damage is done.Believe it or not, candle fires are quite common and the NFPA has found that from 2007-2011, candles started an average of 10,630 fires in the U.S, leading to many deaths and injuries as well as property damage.
A pet or child can easily nudge or knock over a candle. Be sure not to leave candles unattended and never use a candle too close to flammable materials. Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything flammable. Never leave a candle burning when you go to sleep at night.
The above list is just a few of the main fire hazards that we have found to be the most common, but there are many others. Be sure to take all of the preventative measures you can and you will be sure to never go through the pain of a household fire.
If the worst should happen, be assured that here at Utah Flood Cleanup we offer a full range of fire damage services that will help protect your home.
We offer a range of fire restoration services and can help restore your property and repair any stains, soot, or structural damage issues that occur. We also have services to help with damage from mold, flooding, and sewage backup. Call 801-876-5225 today for a free consultation.
