Finding Fire Hazards in Your Home | SERVPRO® of Kingston/New Paltz

11/8/2018 (Permalink)

December is the month where the most candle fires have been reported.

No one likes thinking about the unfortunate possibility of seeing their home damaged by fire, but it’s a harsh reality for many Americans. One way to protect your home is by understanding fire hazards and being able to identify them. In this blog, we’ll be diving into two of the most common household fire hazards.

<h4caution-with-burning-candles:8bd100c662a994b6eb2a3584a3f4afeb">Use Caution With Burning Candles

Candles were the direct cause of 2 percent of reported home fires, with 3 percent resulting in death and 7 percent with injuries. There were an average of 24 home candle fires reported per day during that five-year period, with December having the most calls during the year for home candle fires.

Of all the candle fires during this time span, 37 percent started in the bedroom and were responsible for 36 percent of the associated deaths and 51 percent of the associated injuries.

Fire departments in the United States responded to an estimated 8,700 home structure fires a year that were started by candles, according to the National Fire Protection Association, over a five-year period from 2011 to 2015. In total, there were 82 deaths, 800 injuries and $295 million in direct property damage.

When burning a candle, be sure to keep it at least one foot away from flammable objects and in a sturdy holder that won’t easily tip over. Never use candles where oxygen is in use in the home, and always blow all candles out before leaving a room or going to bed.

<h4safe-when-smoking-indoors:8bd100c662a994b6eb2a3584a3f4afeb">Be Safe When Smoking Indoors

While cooking is the leading cause of home fires, smoking is the leading cause of home fire deaths. An estimated 17,200 home structure fires caused by smoking materials were reported in 2014, which includes cigarettes, pipes and cigars. Approximately 570 deaths, 1,140 injuries and $426 million in property damage were a result of those fires, per the Coalition for Fire-Safe Cigarettes.

If you’re a smoker, it is safest to smoke outside. Most deaths resulted from fires that began in living rooms, family rooms, or bedrooms.

Fire-safe cigarettes are the best option. Always keep deep, sturdy ashtray nearby while smoking.

Extinguish all cigarette butts and ashes in water or sand before disposal, keeping in mind that one out of four fatal victims of smoking-material fires is not the smoker whose cigarette started the fire but the innocent bystander.

<h4about-lesser-known-fire-hazards:8bd100c662a994b6eb2a3584a3f4afeb">Learn About Lesser-known Fire Hazards

While candles and smoking are two of the most common causes of home structure fires, there are also other lesser-known hazards that could be present in your home.

Some kinds of glassware in your home could be a fire risk. When placed in a window where sunlight passes through them, the concentrated ray could ignite flammable materials, which is why it’s best to move glass accessories away from windows.

Dust bunnies can also pose a fire risk when collecting near electrical sockets and floor heaters. Regular sweeping or vacuuming and cleaning hard-to-reach areas like behind the entertainment system can help prevent dust bunny buildup.

Also, check for loose outlets in your home. The movement of these electrical outlets could cause the wires connected to the outlet to become loose and create dangerous arcing.

Fire and smoke damage, as well as water from firefighting efforts, can be devastating to homes. If your home is damaged by fire or smoke, SERVPRO® of Kingston/New Paltz is here to help restore your home to its original condition.