Top 5 Causes of House Fires

1/23/2023 (Permalink)

A fire damaged doorway.

Fires are scary and can happen to anyone. A fire can destroy your home and belongings if you aren't careful. Learn these top five causes of house fires so you can be extra careful to avoid these dangers.

Cooking

Cooking is the leading cause of house fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The most common causes are unattended cooking, not turning off burners when you’re finished using them and leaving pans on the stovetop.

To prevent cooking fires:

• Don't leave food unattended while it's cooking. If you have to step away, turn off or lower the heat so that it doesn't continue to burn while you're gone.
• Use an oven mitt or towel when removing hot dishes from the oven so that you don't accidentally drop them onto your feet or nearby surfaces like wooden floors.
• Never use a microwave to heat metal objects such as a metal bowl or utensil; this increases the risk of fire.

Open-flames or candles

• Open flames or candles: If a candle is not properly extinguished and left unattended, it can cause a fire. Candles should be kept away from curtains and other flammable materials. Candles should also be kept away from children or pets who may knock over the candle while playing with it.
• Smoking in bed: It's very common for people to fall asleep while smoking before they go to sleep at night, but this is actually one of the most common causes of residential fires due to house fires. You might want to consider cutting back on how much you smoke at night if you're finding yourself going into your room late at night just so that you can have another cigarette before going to bed!
• Cooking appliances not used properly: Using cooking appliances improperly can result in an explosion or fire as well as electric shock if something falls into them when being used improperly (such as spilling hot oil). If any part of your appliance seems damaged in any way, don't use them until they are repaired by a professional service technician who knows what kind of parts need replacement first!

Smoking

Smoking is one of the leading causes of house fires. Smoking materials are flammable and can be left unattended, discarded improperly, or left in inappropriate places. If you smoke inside your home, never do so in bed. Always be very careful with a lit cigarette and ash it properly in a ashtray.

Electrical wiring

Electrical wiring is a common source of house fires. It can be damaged by water, heat, age, pests and wear and tear. This can cause your electrical outlets to spark or short-circuit, which could lead to a fire.

• Water: Electrical wires are covered in rubber or plastic sheathing that keeps moisture out of the wires themselves. If you drop your cell phone in water or spill some coffee on it and then plug it in (don't do this!), there's a chance the liquid will seep into the wiring via the charging port and cause corrosion inside where the electricity flows through at high speeds. The amount of damage depends on how much water gets into those tiny wires—and how long before you notice it—but if left untreated for too long, this corrosion can cause overheating that leads to fires!
• Age: If you live in an older home, you may already know the challenges that come with age. Materials decompose, or age in a number of different ways. It’s a good idea to get your wiring checked out if you live in an especially old home.

Heating

Heating is one of the top causes of house fires, especially if you have a gas furnace or stove. Your heating system and its components should be regularly inspected and maintained by a certified technician to ensure they're working safely and efficiently. If you see smoke or flames coming from your vents, turn off the power source immediately:

• Make sure your thermostat is set to a comfortable temperature. Don't forget to clean it every so often!
• Use fire blankets as needed to prevent small fires from becoming major ones. If the fire is contained in an area other than what you can cover with your blanket (like near a wall), use water instead of sand or baking soda—those materials could cause damage if used incorrectly..

When you need help after a fire, call SERVPRO of Downtown Houston

If you’re in need of help after a fire, SERVPRO of Downtown Houston is the company to call. We’re a locally owned and operated business that specializes in odor removal and deep cleaning. Our team offers 24-Hour emergency service and we will get your home back to its predamaged condition as fast as possible. Call us today to get started!