The Most Common Factor for Fire Damage Clean Up Services
Fire damage occurs to homes quite often, and they can be an alarming thing to deal with. More than 300,000 homes in the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Association, encounter fire damage annually. Along with this data, businesses like Paul Davis have given fire clean up services for many properties. It's important to understand the most common ways a house fire is caused, because any likelihood for fire shouldn't be overlooked. We've organized a list of the most common fire hazards so that you can halt a fire from happening in your home.
Cooking in the Kitchen
Preparing meals in the house is one of the prime culprits to house fires, especially when no one is there to watch the kitchen. Many properties have needed fire damage repairs because of food being left on the stove with no one to monitor it. It's important to linger in the kitchen while preparing your food, or to get someone to monitor it if you depart from the room.
Equipment Using Electricity
Appliances that use electricity, such as coffee makers and microwaves should be watched after and put in locations that aren't risky. Check your appliances to see if any of the cords are faulty, because that is a great risk for fire. Regularly make sure your electrical outlets are not overloaded.
Candles Left Ignited
One of the more great items to keep around the home are candles. They look great and make your home aromatic, but they are also an extreme risk for fire. Make sure to extinguish your candles before exiting the room, and put them in a location where they won't fall or ignite other things around them.
Smoking Indoors
Cigarettes have been a fire hazard for years, considering they can stay lit for a few hours, and if they come into contact with anything flammable, you can have a severe issue on your hands. Exiting your house to smoke is an excellent idea to avoid an accident from happening.
Electrical Issues Faulty Wiring
Any electrical complications in your home, such as faulty wiring, can put your property at risk for fire. Faulty wiring is problematic because you can't always see it, but here are a few things to look out for:
- Your lights dim when another appliance is in use
- You have to disconnect something in order for an appliance to work
- Your circuit trips frequently
If this is the case for you, fix the issue and reach out to an electrician or contact your landlord.
BBQs & Grills
For most individuals, a grill is a part of their property for the summer. Remember, it's necessary that your barbecue isn't nearby anything that can catch on fire from it. Maintaining your grill is also crucial because the buildup in it can be a fire hazard. Additionally, you should examine the gas bottle routinely for leaks or other potential issues.
Kids in the Home
Fire is alluring for a child's curiosity, and that's why it's crucial to take preventative measures. Hide all matches and lighters in the house to establish the safety of your children. You can also educate them how to handle the incident of a fire and to memorize their address in the event they need to call 911.
Storing Flammable Contents
When you're storing your liquids, always examine the label to make sure the contents aren't a fire hazard, otherwise don't store them by a heat source.
Christmas Trees in the Home
Every December, holiday joy is provided to the home through Christmas trees along with a possible house fire. Cutting an inch from the base will let your tree absorb water, and this should be done before it goes in the tree stand. You should also be vigilant about watering your tree and keeping it hydrated. Another task you should complete is turning off your Christmas lights when you go to sleep. Additionally, you could purchase an artificial tree to avert the risk altogether.
Dryer Ducts
Fires caused from dryers are quite frequent, and that's why it's integral to keep them clean. To prevent your house from needing fire damage cleaning services, always clean out the lint trap before using it again, and inspect the dryer duct consistently because lint can get trapped in there often.
Preventing Fire Damage
It's impossible to remove all possible fire hazards, but understanding the most typical causes of house fires can eradicate your risk substantially. If you have encountered any fire damage to your property, don't wait to call an expert that offers fire damage cleaning services, like Paul Davis. We are fire restoration contractors that can have your home restored back to where it was before.