House fires are, unfortunately, very common. Everyday tasks, like using electronics, cooking, and even cleaning can all result in a house fire. A typical home is filled to the brim with fire hazards, and it’s hard to know what to look for when wanting to safety-proof your home. So, what are the most common causes of house fires?
House Fire Causes
If you’re not careful, house fires can be caused quite easily. After it’s going, the fire can spread to neighboring houses. The owner of the house where the original fire started can and will be held liable for any damages and medical bills that this fire caused to others. Knowing what common house fire causes may help prevent their occurrence.
Cooking
Cooking is the most common cause of house fires in the Unites States. Especially around Thanksgiving, cooking has caused about 49% of house fires. Open flames and spilled hot food, liquid, or chemicals can easily start fires if left unattended. Kitchen appliances, tools, and even food can catch on fire and spread very fast.
Faulty Wiring, Circuits, and Loose Connections
Electrical fires are one of the more dangerous types of house fires, causing around 10% of house fires, and even 18% of fire-related deaths.
Smoking
As most people know, smoking is a huge fire hazard. Even though it causes only 5% of house fires, smoking can be extremely dangerous, with around 23% of all fire-caused deaths.
Candles
Everybody loves to light a good candle and relax. However, when left unattended, candles become a big fire hazard. Candles have caused 3% of house fires, and 3% of fire-caused deaths.
Heating Appliances
Heating appliances come in handy for warmth, but they can become dangerous when old or faulty. If left unattended, these can cause dangerous fires. From 2014-2018, it was reported that 14% of house fires and 19% of fire-caused deaths were caused by heating appliances.
Christmas Trees
Around Christmas, it’s tradition to decorate a smaller pine tree with ornaments and lights to make it look nice and festive. It might be one of the more rare fire hazards, but it’s still something to look out for, with 0.1% of fires, and 0.1% of fire-caused deaths caused by Christmas trees.
Preventing House Fires
There are a few simple ways to prevent house fires from happening. Some things, like unplugging electronics and appliances when they aren’t being used could be a literal life saver. Other ways to prevent house fires include:
- Do not leave candles or heating appliances unattended
- Keep track of all your cords, and don’t keep them underneath anything
- Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
- Don’t keep old or faulty appliances in your house
- Make sure there is always a fire extinguisher handy
- Do not leave your kitchen unattended when cooking or baking
Fire Remediation
House fires vary in size, but even small fires can cause thousands of dollars’ worth of damages. An insurance agency with a good policy can help you cover the damages and repairs needed in your home post-fire.
At Royal Renovations, we specialize in repairing fire damage with the care and compassion your home deserves. If you’re facing fire damage in your home, get in touch with us today.