Understanding the Common Causes of a Home Fire

2/23/2022 (Permalink)

Follow These Tips about Common Causes of a Home Fire and avoid Fire in your Colorado Springs, CO house.

A home fire is a nightmare for many homeowners. While most people feel like they are safe from such events, the statistics show that house fires occur more often than people might like to think. While fire restoration services in Colorado Springs, CO, acknowledge a drop in fires and fire-related deaths since the 1970s, the danger is still prevalent.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, a fire department in the U.S. responds to a fire somewhere in the country every 23 seconds. The causes of home fires are usually not odd or extraordinary things. Most causes of house fires include:

• Candles
• Grills
• Faulty appliances

4 Common Causes of a Home Fire

When reviewing fire causes, it is necessary to check the habits and tools that can lead to such disasters. People often do not realize how lax behaviors or failed maintenance can result in many household fires.

1. Home Cooking

Many house fires start in the kitchen. It is common for stovetop meals to include the use of grease or other flammable elements. Unfortunately, while cooking fires are common, they can quickly become uncontrollable, especially with bad habits.

Too many people leave the kitchen or get distracted while cooking. Leaving the room is one of the worst things you can do. Grease fires can quickly get out of hand and spread to other surfaces. However, if you are present in the room, a grease fire can be extinguished rather quicker by snuffing the flames, using a fire extinguisher, or throwing baking soda onto the flames.

2. Matches, Candles, Lighters

When fire cleaning, many restoration companies find that the cause of the fire was a candle. People love to use candles, but they can become lax around the decorations, leaving them lit in the presence of children or pets.

Again, it is not uncommon for people to leave a room where a candle remains lit. Anytime an open flame is left unattended, it becomes a fire hazard. If you have lighters and matches in your home, make sure they are out of reach of children. Many house fires are caused by accidents when children decide to play with matches.

3. Faulty Electronics

Faulty electronics and wiring are other leading causes of house fires. Many times, these faults occur because of failed maintenance or improper use. You should always follow maintenance guides and recommendations for appliances and other electronics. Additionally, it would be best to have regular inspections of your home's electrical system.

4. Smoking

Smoking is an unhealthy habit and potentially dangerous. Cigarettes cause about 5% of residential structure fires. Additionally, nearly 25% of fire-related deaths were a result of smoking.

The careless disposal of cigarettes or smoking on upholstered furniture are common causes of cigarette-related fires. The cause of the fires is often a result of falling embers.

No property owner wants to experience a home fire; they are dangerous and destructive. The best way to avoid a fire is by adopting basic fire safety practices and being aware of the common fire causes above. Contact your local fire department or fire restoration service for more information about protecting your home.