According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are over 400,000 cases of house fires in the US every year. Fire incidents bring a dreadful atmosphere to anyone who’s experienced it. It will not only steal properties, but it is also a threat to life.
This is why it is crucial to prevent fire incidents and be vigilant. The house owner carries the responsibility of the property to be prevented from any possibility of a fire incident. By knowing the most common causes of fire incidents and how to prevent it, you can lessen the risk of a house fire.
Below is a list of the common fire incidents according to the report of the National Fire Protection Association, along with tips and fire protection products that can help you prevent it.
Cooking Equipment
Kitchen equipment that overheats can also cause a fire. It will only take a few seconds before the flame grows bigger, and the next thing you know, your kitchen is in flames.
This is why you mustn’t leave your kitchen unattended, especially when you’re cooking. You just don’t risk burning the food that you are cooking, but also your property to fire hazards.
To prevent a house fire, you should keep your paper towels, oven mitts, and dish towels away from the stove or any source of heat.
Or you can also invest in Sticker – X. This fire safety product is designed to fit narrow spaces thanks to its compact size. You can place it in your kitchen to prevent the occurrences of a fire incident. Since this is a self-activated fire safety tool, even if you are not around, once it detects smoke, it will automatically release fire extinguishing chemicals.
Smoking
Smoking is not only dangerous to health but can also be a root cause of a fatal fire incident. In fact, a report says that smoking had caused over 1,000 firehouse fires in a year.
Lit cigarettes that caught even just a fabric of a curtain or dropped into a pile of clothes can cause a fire to escalate the save the entire house.
The only solution to this common fire incident is to not smoke inside the house or establishment. Smoking outside will reduce the risks of house fires. But if you can encourage the smoker to quit his vice, then it would be much better.
Candles
According to a report, a house fire incident of around 18,000 cases was caused by candles. Negligence of a lit candle can cost lives and properties. It is crucial that someone is attending a candle in the room when it is lit, or if not, then the candle should be put off.
There are lots of flammable materials in the house that could be a threat to a fire incident, especially when near a lit candle. A trimmed wick of the candle can help in reducing the size of the flame. There is a number of battery-operated candles that can be a suitable replacement and reduce the fire risk in your house, too.
Children Playing with Fire
ids like to play with everything they see. Unfortunately, they can also cause a fire with just playing. A report states that there are around 56,300 cases of fire incidents from the year 2005 to 2009 that have been caused by children playing matches and sparks.
We understand that you will not be around 24/7 to supervise your children. This is why you should consider investing in Sticker – Xv2 by Firetech Global. This fire extinguisher is powered by state-of-the-art technology and can be used to put out the fire before it can do damage. This self-activated fire extinguisher is the best fire prevention tool when you cannot watch over your children. It will help in preventing a fire from spreading out.
Faulty Wiring
Faulty wiring is also one of the major causes of fire incidents. Households with neglected or inappropriate wiring are more prone to fire incidents.
For instance, if you notice that the lights dim when you are using another home appliance, it can be an indication that your wiring needs fixing. Or if you have to disconnect your fridge so that you can use your microwave oven, that is also a blaring sign of faulty wiring.
If you are renting a house or an apartment, it is crucial to have your landlord check the wiring immediately. Stop using your appliances first to reduce the risks of fire hazards. Or you can contact a licensed electrician to come and inspect your property to ensure that your household’s wiring is working correctly.
Barbeques
There are people who love hosting a barbeque party. If you are one of them, you should be extra careful. Barbeque grills are also one of the causes of fire incidents. Although the number of cases is lower compared to other causes of fire, it is still crucial to be vigilant and responsible when using your grilling station.
By making sure that your grilling station is properly maintained and cleaned before using it can help you to minimize the risks of fire incidents. You should also remove the detachable parts before storing the grilling station. And each time you are planning to use it for your outdoor meal or party, make sure that the gas bottles have no leaks. Clean it every after use and make sure you properly dispose the fire before leaving it.
Lighting
Another dreadful cause of the fire is the lighting. Lampshades can pose a threat of a fire incident once it’s knocked over. Lights that are also insulated from ceiling timbers can also cause a fire.
To prevent this from happening, you should consider installing the Aero – X. It is a fire extinguisher that is best for residential and commercial use.
Once you have installed the product, rest assured that it will automatically spray non-toxic fire extinguishing chemicals to the surroundings once it detects fire. This fire safety tool is best for a household that leaves its light on during nighttime.
Christmas Trees
Setting up a Christmas tree during the holiday season is a delight, especially when you have kids in the house or you enjoy entertaining guests at home. However, no matter how pretty these evergreen trees, it can also be a cause of the fire. The cases involving Christmas trees are lower, around 170 cases in the US per year, but it can still result in death.
You can reduce the risks of a fire incident by opting for an artificial tree that is made of plastic needles. Just make sure that you are keen when it comes to choosing your light-bulb string. An overloaded outlet can also be a problem. Hence, you should put out the Christmas tree light before you sleep or when no one is around. You shouldn’t also use old Christmas lights due to the fire hazard risks that it carries.
Chemical Fires
Chemical fires are frequent in commercial places, but it can also occur in a residential house. For instance, then the volatile gasoline starts vaporing and reaches a flash-point temperature; it can cause a fire. It also happens when the chemicals in the air combining with oxygen reach a flash-point temperature and ignite a fire.
According to data, there are over 14,000 fire cases every year that involve chemicals. Hence, it is crucial that you keep your chemicals in a dry, cool place. It should be away from any source of heat. You should also follow your manufacturer’s advice when storing the gasoline properly.
Heating Equipment
During winter, heating equipment is a must for every household. However, it can also be a cause of the fire. In a 2010 report, around 57,100 houses in the US went to ashes because of fire that was caused by heating equipment.
Hence, it is crucial to have your heating equipment checked and maintained every year before you use it. Make sure that you keep any combustible items away from heating equipment. Before leaving your house for work, you should also ensure that you turn off the heating equipment.
Conclusion
Watching your hard-earned house go into flames is a nightmare, especially if your loved ones are trapped inside. One of the worst things that could happen to anyone is a fire incident.
Hence, we must educate ourselves about fire prevention. There are lots of small ways that could prevent a big fire from happening.
Also, if you are living in a considerable household, investing in fire safety tools is a must. Some products are specifically designed to prevent fire and save lives. Since you can’t stay in the house the entire day and watch over it, relying on these smart fire prevention products can be of big help, especially to working professionals.
Billions of money and thousands of properties have been lost to fire. Do not let yourself become one of the victims. By being vigilant and responsible, you can prevent the risks of fire in your household.