LEADING CAUSES OF HOME FIRES



LEADING CAUSES OF HOME FIRES

The National Fire Protection Association reports 85% of fire deaths occur in the home, making fire prevention a top priority in every home.

Cooking

1. Cooking is the leading cause of house fires in the United States. According to the NFPA, 40 percent of house fires and 36 percent of fire-related injuries are caused by cooking fires. Most cooking fires start when an oven or stove is left unattended. Many other cooking fires begin when items are left too close to cooking equipment and begin to burn. To minimize your risk for a cooking fire, never leave your oven or stove unattended while it is on, and clear the area around your stove from all items that may catch fire, including curtains and cookbooks. Most jurisdictions require a fire extinguisher in or near your kitchen. It is a good idea to mount your fire extinguisher where everyone can find it in the event of a cooking fire.

Smoking

2. Smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths. The NFPA estimates that nearly one in four people killed in fires in the United States were killed in smoking-related fires. Most smoking fires start when a cigarette, cigar or pipe comes in contact with upholstered furniture, such as couches and chairs, or bedding and mattresses. Many times smokers will fall asleep with a lit cigarette, which then ignites the furniture around them. If you must smoke, do so outside, and never smoke in bed.

Heating

3. Heating-related fires are the second most common cause of house fires after cooking fires and the second most common cause of fire deaths after smoking-related fires. Most heating-related fires occur in December, January and February. The majority of heating-related fires are not caused by a home's furnace but rather fixed and portable space heaters. If you must use a space heater, ensure that it is kept away from materials that could burn, and always follow the heater manufacturer's instructions.

Electrical

4. Electrical fires are another leading cause of house fires. Two types of electrical fires are most prevalent, those caused by lights and those caused by home electrical systems. Lighting-related electrical fires can be prevented by not exceeding the maximum light bulb wattage for your lamps. Exceeding the maximum wattage may cause the light to generate too much heat, igniting the lampshade. It is also important to never place anything over a lamp, such as cloth or paper, as these may heat up and start a fire.

Electrical-system-related fires can be caused by faulty home wiring, electrical appliances and extension cords. Only qualified electricians should perform electrical work in your home. Appliances should always be plugged directly into an acceptable outlet and never plugged into an extension cord. Also, never remove the grounding plug from an appliance so that it can fit into a two-prong outlet. Have a qualified electrician install the proper type of outlet for your appliance instead. Extension cords are meant for temporary use only. If you find that you are permanently using an extension cord, have an electrician install another outlet.

Candles

5. A burning candle is dangerous if left unattended and can be another cause of house fires. Never leave a candle too close to curtains and never leave a child alone with a burning candle.

Holiday Lights and Decorations

6. Christmas trees don’t cause fires, the decorations do. Candles are often placed too close to trees or they are decorated with faulty or damaged light strings. Trees must be watered to prevent them from drying out and decorations should never be left on when the homeowner is not there.

Fireplaces

7. Wood burning fireplaces should be inspected by a qualified person. Creosote, which is a tar-like matter, coats the inside of the chimney and can catch on fire. Screens should always cover the fireplace to stop stray sparks from entering a room.

Children playing with flammables

8. Another very common cause of fires that we all hear of fairly frequently is kids playing with matches or a lighter and not fully comprehending the risks they are taking.  It’s really important to be sure to teach your kids about fire safety and the reasons why they should not play with fire.  Of course, supervision is incredibly important as well but we can’t be all places at the same time so be sure to educate them via books, videos, and any other ways available to you (visit the local fire station, etc.).

Dryers

9. Another very common cause of fires that we all hear of fairly frequently is kids playing with matches or a lighter and not fully comprehending the risks they are taking.  It’s really important to be sure to teach your kids about fire safety and the reasons why they should not play with fire.  Of course, supervision is incredibly important as well but we can’t be all places at the same time so be sure to educate them via books, videos, and any other ways available to you (visit the local fire station, etc.).

Flammables stored in house

10. There are a lot of products left around the home that are highly flammable (especially if the garage is attached to the home).  Be careful of where you place any flammable materials (fuels, oils, etc.).  Don’t place them next to a possible source of a fire as they can rapidly turn a bad situation into a disaster.  The simplest rule is to keep them contained and a away from the home to the greatest extent possible.

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