24/7 Emergency Service
Common Causes of Fires
10/12/2018 (Permalink)
Helping make fire damage, "like it never even happened."
The top 5 most common causes of house fires and safety tips:
- Candles
- Never leave a candle burning near flammable items or in a child’s room.
- Make sure candles fit securely into candleholders so they do not tip over.
- Blow out any candles before leaving a room or going to sleep.
- Smoking
- If you smoke, consider smoking outside.
- Use wide, sturdy ashtrays to catch butts and ashes.
- Look for cigarette butts under furniture and between seat cushions to make sure no lit butts have fallen someplace where they cannot be seen.
- Do not smoke in bed, when you are tired or around medical oxygen.
- Electrical & Lighting
- Do not overload outlets or electrical cords.
- Make sure you have the right cord for the job. Inside cords for inside, heavy duty/outside cords for outdoor use.
- Do not leave Christmas lights, Christmas trees, or halogen lights on overnight or when not at home.
- Consider having an electrician perform an annual checkup of your home’s wiring.
- Dryers & Washing Machines
- Clean the lint screen frequently and do not run the dryer without it.
- For gas and propane dryers, make sure there are not any leaks in the lines.
- Check the vent of the dryer, outside of the house and ensure nothing blocks the vent pipe.
- Clean the vent pipe and the area where the screen is housed.
- Keep the area around the dryer free of combustible materials.
- Lightning
- Stay away from doors and windows during an electrical storm.
- Do not use computers, TVs or other electrical equipment during storms.
- Unplug major electronics: TVs, stereo equipment, computers and microwaves to minimize damage if there is a lightning strike close by.
- Avoid plumbing such as sinks, baths and faucets during a thunderstorm.
The overall ideas are thanks to the National Fire Protection Association.