What You Need to Know About the Leading Causes of House Fires and How to Stop Them
May 5, 2023
6 min read
House fires can be devastating and dangerous, causing harm to both property and people. Being conscious of the typical reasons for house fires and avoiding them is crucial for safeguarding your loved ones.
8 Leading Causes of House Fires and How to Avoid Them
On average, US fire departments received calls to respond to 346,800 home structure fires per year over five years. These fires resulted in an average of 2,620 civilian fatalities, 11,070 civilian injuries, and $7.3 billion in property damage yearly.
Being aware of hazards around the home is critical to avoiding potentially life-threatening house fires. Knowing which everyday objects and materials can ignite under certain conditions might be commonplace, but there may equally be unsuspected culprits in your very own residence waiting to cause destruction.
Taking proactive steps toward lowering fire risk levels helps protect those who matter most and secure your property.
1. Candles
Despite their seemingly harmless nature, candles played a role in the devastation caused by home fires. According to National Fire Protection Association, candles contribute 2% of reported cases, 3% of fatalities, and 6% of injuries. Furthermore, they inflicted 4% direct property damage across affected households.
While the festive glow that candles bring to holiday celebrations can be enchanting, it's essential to take precautionary steps when using them. Remember to keep candle flames at least 12 inches away from any objects and extinguish them before leaving your celebration space for New Year's Day, Christmas, or any other special occasion!
2. Electrical Fires
Loose and fraying wires hiding behind aging switches or sockets could wreak havoc, setting off a potentially disastrous electrical fire. In addition, with many older outlets not grounded, it is critical to be mindful of the power sources in our homes that are more vulnerable than we realize.
Faulty wiring systems can threaten your safety, so if you own an older home, it's worth getting checked out by a professional electrician. Also, ensure you know what you're doing before attempting DIY electrical work, as even the slightest mistake could cause serious problems!
3. Kitchen Fires
Unfortunately, kitchen-related accidents have become a leading cause of residential fires, making up almost half of all reported fire incidents. You can prevent kitchen fires by following a few easy precautions.
When cooking with oil or greasy foods such as bacon, it is important never to leave the stove unattended. This is because a fire hazard can arise due to the accumulation of grease over time. That's why keeping your cookware clean is important to reduce the risk of accidents. By taking these simple steps, you can enjoy cooking at home safely.
Grilling season is the time of year many people love to enjoy delicious eats—but we must be conscious of fire safety. A heated grill can quickly cause a spark and start an uncontrollable flame if left unattended too close to wooden fences or exterior walls, so make sure your barbeque station has plenty of space!
4. Christmas Trees
Every year, families around the globe enjoy adding a bright and festive evergreen tree to their holiday decorations. But what many don't consider is that these trees come with an unexpected risk—they are inherently flammable. On average, it takes 30 seconds for a room to be engulfed in flames caused by flash fire from dried-out Christmas trees. So be sure to keep your family safe this season by following all safety instructions when decorating your home.
Both natural and artificial Christmas trees can present a fire hazard. To maintain safety in your home during the holiday season and all year round, it is crucial to conduct regular checks for dryness on your tree. Additionally, take precautions like unplugging any light strands when not at home or sleeping; even with an artificial tree, this will help lessen the risks associated with electrical fires from bad wires in bulb strings or overloaded outlets.
5. Cigarettes Smoking
Cigarette butts pose more than just a risk to your health—they can also start fires when dropped on combustible materials like carpets, furniture, and other fabric. Although smoking materials only cause a small percentage of house fires, they are some of the most lethal, responsible for more deaths than any other cause. These fires can often start while people are sleeping and unaware, making them especially dangerous.
If you are a smoker, it is better to be safe than sorry. Smoking in bed introduces a hazard that could spark a full-blown disaster with just one careless ash. To avoid potential catastrophe, take your cigarettes outside whenever possible or use the sink and ashtray as deterrents while smoking inside your home.
6. Heating Appliances
From cozy space heaters to essential baseboard systems, heating, and cooling appliances are a staple in most homes. Unfortunately, they can cause catastrophic fires if not used properly—accounting for over 12% of house fires nationwide.
Heaters are powerful and potentially dangerous objects when they rely on kerosene. Electrical heaters require extra caution since faulty wiring or fabric too close to hot coils can lead to disaster. Staying safe from the risks associated with heating devices requires vigilance in inspections, maintenance, and adhering to instructions.
As comforting as the heat from a space heater can be, never let it lull you into setting one running before heading out of your home. To protect yourself and your loved ones, keep flammable materials away from heat sources.
7. Chemical Fires
The silent danger of chemical fires is looming, from the industrial workplace to household garages and basements. All it takes for a deadly incident are volatile fumes with an open flame or prolonged exposure to oxygen in one place—causing a reaction so powerful that temperatures reach their flashpoints and ignite into flames. Any home may become vulnerable to this threat unless proper precautions are taken.
It's no secret that gasoline and other fuels are highly flammable, so storing them in fire-resistant containers away from heat sources is crucial. To ensure a safe storage environment for lawn care essentials such as gas canisters, keep these tips in mind:
- Choose an appropriate container.
- Keep the container at least 50 feet away from sources of heat.
- Make sure to seal containers properly.
- Do not fill the container more than 95% full.
8. Children's Curiosity
Curiosity is a natural part of childhood, but it can be dangerous in the case of fire! Ensure all matches and lighters are far out of reach to prevent an unfortunate curiosity-driven disaster. Install smoke alarms near your child's bedroom, plus practice escape plans with them.
Also, keep an eye on any activities they may be doing with chemical reactions or flammable objects like matches, candles, lighters, etc. Not only can these pose a physical hazard but also a psychological one when understanding the safety risks involved.
Educating children about fire safety at an early age is crucial to ensure that they are conscious of the risks involved and equipped with the knowledge to avoid accidents or severe injuries.
Keep Your Home Safe From House Fires
Preventing house fires is the responsibility of every homeowner. Educating yourself about the most common causes of fires and implementing simple safety measures can help protect your home and keep your loved ones safe.
Please don't wait until it's too late! Ensure you regularly check the batteries in your smoke detectors, keep flammable materials away from heat sources, and have a fire escape plan to prevent house fires.
