What I Learned From Area Fires
Area fires are a common reason for property damage. There are various reasons for a fire to start, from household candles to natural disasters such as wildfires. Here are the things I learned from area fires.
#1: Climate Change Affects Area Fires
The current world climate is undergoing a crisis. There are fewer trees, higher gas emissions, and higher levels of pollution. These things affect area fires.
When the area is drier and the gas emissions are significantly polluted, an area fire will be stronger. Climate change can dictate how strong the fire will be.
#2: Power Outages do not Prevent New Fires
When a fire takes place, the first thing power companies do is create a power outage. This is often the case for wildfires. However, power outages do not prevent new fires.
Fire will still take place as the wires, cables, poles, and transformers catch fire.
#3: Fire Spreads Quick
According to a U.S. Fire Administrator, a small fire only takes 30 seconds to become a full-blown fire. Thirty years ago, the average evacuation time was 14 to 17 minutes. Now, the average escape time is 2 to 3 minutes.
Key Statistics
● Each year, nearly 4000 Americans die due to housefires.
● Over 2000 Americans are severely injured due to housefires.
● 80% of deaths due to fire happen at home.
There are things you can do to help lessen the occurrence and risks of area fires on your property. Here are the things I learned that I could do to lessen the risk of area fires.
#1: Install Sprinklers and Fire Extinguishers
Having a fire extinguisher at home prevents small fires from growing. Always place fire extinguishers near areas where a fire will likely start.
Sprinklers are also a great investment to add to your home. They slow down the fire from spreading too quickly all over your home.
#2: Proper Storage
Always store flammable gas and liquids in places where they are not exposed to sunlight or likely to catch fire. Store these items in dark, damp, and isolated places without flammable materials near it.
#3: No Smoking Zone
According to the NFPA, 5% of home area fires were caused by smoking materials. Smoking is the leading cause of home fire deaths between 2012-2016.
To prevent this from happening, make your home a no-smoking zone. Make sure that no one smokes inside of your home or puts out cigarette endings on your mattress or sofa.
#4: Smoke Alarms
Two-thirds of home fires that have occurred in the past could have been prevented if those areas had smoke alarms. Having a smoke detector helps diagnose a fire before it grows.
It should be noted that these smoke alarms need constant maintenance. Part of those two-thirds of home fires had malfunctioning fire alarms within their home.
There are many things you can do to lessen the risk of an area fire from occurring. Also, some factors predict how these fires will occur or behave. Understanding area fires will help in making better disaster preparedness plans and choosing a good insurance plan.
