Property Damage Fires: What You Need to Keep in Mind

Here are some of the top reasons why there are so many house fires in the U.S.

   –    Candles!

Yes! Candles. Did you know that according to the NFPA (National Fire Prevention Association), there are 25 house fires caused by candles every day?
Candles may be romantic, soothing, calming and so on, but they are also a huge fire hazard. So, to prevent a fire, all you need to do is follow a few safety protocols:

o  Blow out the candles once you’re done with them.
o  Avoid using candles in your bedroom.
o  Keep candles in an open space – at least 12 inches from anything flammable.
o  Make sure that the candle holders you use are sturdy and will not fall over easily.
o  Blow out a candle before it burns all the way down to the base.

    –     Fires Caused by Cooking

Cooking may be a joy for many, but it is also a dangerous task if not done carefully. Here is how you can prevent a fire in your home from starting in the kitchen:
o Leaving food on a burning stove is the best way to start a fire. Therefore, if there is food cooking on the burner, do not ever leave it unattended.

o Do not wear loose clothes or any type of clothing that can catch fire easily around a lit stove. If you’re wearing long or loose sleeves, it is best to roll them up so that they do not catch fire.
o Make sure that all flammable materials in the kitchen – oven mitts, kitchen towels, wooden utensils and so on – are kept at a safe distance from the fire.
o Use only microwave-safe utensils in your microwave oven.
o If the grease on your stove or pan catches fire, do not try to put it out by pouring water on it. Use a lid or a pan over the fire to kill it.

   –     Electrical Fires
Today, we really cannot function without all our electrical appliances. Whether it’s cooking, cleaning, doing the laundry, entertaining, or anything else, there is an appliance available to make our lives easier. The problem is that these appliances, if not properly maintained, can pose a huge threat to the safety of your home. If an appliance malfunctions, if there is an overloaded circuit in your home, the appliance overheats or has frayed electric wires, you’re looking at a serious house fire.
To stay safe, here’s what you need to do:

o Ensure that all electrical cords are in good condition. Replace those that are damaged in any way.
o Ensure that your power outlets and circuits are not overloaded.
o If you do have more appliances than the circuits and outlets in your home can handle, then it is best to call in a qualified electrician to increase the capacity of the circuits and add on more circuits.

o Get your home’s wiring checked by a qualified electrician at least once a year.
o Ensure that all your electrical appliances are serviced regularly.
While candles, electricals and cooking fires are the most common, there are other dangers that you need to be aware of; fires from your heaters, dryers, and washing machines are also common. And of course, fires can be caused by smoking.

With so many fire hazards in our homes today, the best way to prevent an incident is by keeping an uncluttered and well-maintained home.