What Causes House Fires? | SERVPRO® of Thomaston, Forsyth & Fort Valley

11/4/2021 (Permalink)

Regardless of the cause, SERVPRO of Thomaston, Forsyth & Fort Valley is here for you if your home is affected by fire!

If you were to see your home on fire, it might feel like a swift punch in the gut! An unpredictable situation can happen in a matter of minutes and cause complete devastation.

That’s why it’s important to pay attention to fire safety basics, because even with all the awareness campaigns about fire hazards, more than a quarter of all reported fires still occur in homes.

As you snuggle in for the evening, take a quick look at the top causes of house fires. By bettering your knowledge, you can help prevent your own house fire.

Cooking. Kitchen fires are the most common cause of fire in the home, and the number 1 reason is unattended cooking. If you’re not paying attention, your home could catch on fire. Stay alert, aware and present while cooking.

Heating equipment. There’s a reason why house fires are more common during the colder months. When temperatures cool down, we want our heating systems to heat things up. But they also increase the risk of fire. Make sure your heating system or HVAC unit is inspected regularly, and if you use space heaters, be careful to place them away from anything flammable.

Electrical fires. Older homes aren’t equipped to handle the higher usage of electricity we often use every day. And even in new homes, faulty wiring or the overloading of circuits can contribute to fires. Make sure your electrical equipment doesn’t have any frayed wires or faulty outlets, and if you live in an older home, ensure you have the electrical system inspected regularly.

Intentional fires. More than 28,000 intentional home fires started every year. Rather than being a fire set for a legitimate purpose that got out of control, these fires were set with the intention of harming a home.

Smoking materials. While cigarettes and other smoking materials are only responsible for 5% of house fires, they are the leading cause of civilian fire deaths. People can fall asleep with a cigarette still lit, or ashes fall onto something flammable.

Regardless of the cause, SERVPRO is here for you if your home is affected by fire. Contact your local team today to see how we can help.