Home Fires & How to Prevent Them

9/18/2019 (Permalink)

Residential home fire that started in garage

A home fire can cause a catastrophic amount of damage in a short time. Because of how quickly flames can spread, a simple spark can quickly get out of hand.

Though there is no way to guarantee you will never have to experience a house fire, being adamant about prevention will help make it less likely.

Home Fire Statistics

While most might assume fires are rare and odd occurrences, the reality is that a home fire occurs every 24 seconds, according to the NFPA.

The No. 1 cause of cooking fires is cooking, but there are many other reasons a fire might break out.

Home Fire Prevention Steps

Flames can spread rapidly once they get out of hand—but being vigilant about fire prevention will reduce the chances of it getting to that point. Here are some things around the house to check when practicing fire prevention:

Smoke detectors. Smoke detectors are typically outfitted with a test unit that allows you to check batteries, which is recommended to be done once per month. It is also recommended to replace the full unit every 10 years.

Dryer tray. The lint in the dryer tray might seem like a general inconvenience, but it can actually start fires as well. An overfull dryer tray can become combustible as the dryer heats up.

Open flames. Keeping an eye on open flames is always a good idea, as flames can quickly travel if conditions are right.

Cords and cables. Wires can sometimes be bent in odd or contorted ways, leading to premature fraying and tears. Check cables often and replace when they become frayed.

Aerosol cans. Aerosol cans are an everyday item that can actually be quite dangerous. Protect them from warm or sunny places to prevent them from combusting.

If your home has suffered damage from a house fire, give SERVPRO® of Henderson/Boulder City a call at 702-564-8508. We are certified in fire and soot remediation, and here to help ²⁴⁄₇.