Potential Sources for Fires you should be aware of to take care of your Springdale home.

6/4/2020 (Permalink)

House & apartment fires can be caused by several different sources. These can range anywhere from the misuse of appliances to faulty heating equipment to smoking in the bedroom. Here are some of the most common causes of house fires and precautions you can take.

1. Cooking equipment.

The preparation of a meal using your oven can create a problem if the cook gets distracted and leaves the kitchen and stove unattended. One simple rule of thumb: if you’re the cook, stay in the kitchen. If you have to leave have someone come in and watch your food.

1. Heating.

Always keep portable heaters at least 3 to 4 feet away from anything that could catch fire. That includes furniture, clothing, curtains or bedding. If you have a furnace, it is recommended that you have a qualified HVAC contractor inspect and clean the unit on an annual basis. Making sure the furnace is working safely and up to safety standards is vital in keeping your family safe.

1. Smoking in bedrooms.

 If you must smoke, never, ever smoke in bed. Make sure that your bedroom and bed is off limits when it comes to smoking. Fire starting in the bedroom make up over 70% of all house fatalities in the US. If a cigarette is discarded and not extinguished properly, you will likely be calling 911. Always make sure the cigarette butt is extinguished because it can stay lit for several hours.

1. Electrical equipment.

There are many electrical appliances in the average home or apartment. Take a toaster for example. You can start a fire if it has a faulty cord. Or in other words, if that cord is frayed. An outlet can easily be overloaded with plugs that offer multiple outlets. Be careful never to overload an outlet. Especially in older homes that were not wired for all of the electrical appliances that we use today. Make sure all of your outlets are grounded properly. A qualified electrician can help you with this.

1. Candles.

They help make our homes and apartments smell nice. But candles, unattended, can easily burst into flames. Especially if they’re placed too close to flammable items such as a box of tissues or towels. Never leave a candle unattended. If you’re going to leave the room, blow that candle out! The National Fire Protection Association reports that roughly 1/3 of home candle fires start in the bedroom. And these fires caused 33% of the related deaths and 51% of the related injuries.

1. Curious children.

Curiosity can get the best of a child and make him or her see what happens when a fire is set to an object. Always keep matches and lighters far away from your children as possible.

1. Faulty wiring.

A licensed electrician can inspect the wiring of your home and perhaps save your life. A home with inadequate wiring is a fire just waiting to happen. Some clues as to whether a house has faulty wiring can include lights that dim when you turn on another appliance, for one appliance to work you have to disconnect another, fuses or breakers that trip frequently. Other causes of fire include barbecues, flammable liquids and improperly installed lighting.

SERVPRO of Fayetteville/Springdale should be your first choice for any residential or commercial restoration needs. Our team of professionals is trained to assess the damage and potential threats, extract and contain the affected area, dry, and restore your property to preloss condition. 

SERVPRO of Fayetteville/Springdale is available 24/7 by calling 479-318-6774.

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