House fires can be devastating, causing immense damage to property, and in worst-case scenarios, claiming lives. While we can’t always prevent accidents, understanding the most common causes of house fires is the first step toward safeguarding our homes. This blog lays out the most common ways house fires start. We’ll share safety tips to protect yourself from these types of disasters.
Most Common Causes of House Fires
Cooking
From 2017-2021, cooking was the leading cause of reported house fires and home fire injuries. It’s important to stay vigilant while cooking in the kitchen. Kitchen-related incidents like unattended stoves and grease fires are common causes of house fires.
A CPI Security customer accidentally left a pot on the stove unattended. Her CPI Security Smart Smoke Detector picked up the danger and CPI Security’s Central Station alerted firefighters. Watch the video below to see the firefighters responding to her home.
Heating
Local fire departments responded to an estimated 44,000 fires that involved heating equipment each year from 2016 to 2020. Heating appliances, including space heaters and furnaces, can be hazardous if not properly maintained. Remember to regularly service your heating systems, keep flammable items away from them, and install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. These essential precautions could end up saving you, your family, and your home.
Electrical
Electrical malfunctions are another common cause of house fires. Faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, and damaged electrical appliances can spark fires, especially in older homes. You can significantly reduce the risk of fires by scheduling regular inspection by certified electricians.
Mandy is a CPI Security customer. She was out running errands when an electrical issue sparked a fire in her home. See how CPI’s Real Time Response℠ helped save her pets before it was too late.
Smoking
Smoking indoors significantly increases the risk of house fires. The combination of open flame and combustible material can lead to disaster. Encourage smokers to do so outdoors and provide safe disposal options for cigarette butts. Smoking materials, including cigarettes, pipes, and cigars started an estimated 16,500 home fires in the U.S. in 2016.
Candles
Though beautiful, candles can pose a serious fire hazard if left unattended. From 2015-2019, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 7,400 house fires per year that were started by candles.
Fire Safety Tips
Cooking Safety
Consider these cooking safety tips to reduce the chance of cooking fires in your home.
- If you are sleeping or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove or stovetop.
- Stay in the kitchen while you’re frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen, even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.
- Keep anything that can catch fire away from the stovetop. This includes oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, and towels.
Heating Safety
Keep these heating safety tips in mind to reduce the chances of fires caused by heat sources.
- Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment.
- Never use your oven to heat your home.
- Every year, have your heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected by qualified professionals.
- Remember to turn portable heaters off when you leave home or go to bed.
Electrical Safety Tips
Here are some safety tips to reduce the chance of fire caused by electrical malfunctions.
- Have all electrical work done by qualified electricians.
- When you’re buying or remodeling a home, have it inspected by a qualified private inspector.
- Test AFCIs and GFCIs once a month, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Make sure electrical cords are not running across doorways or under carpets.
- Use a light bulb with the correct number of watts.
Smoking Safety Tips
Reduce the chances of fires started by smoking with these tips.
- If you smoke, use only fire-safe cigarettes.
- If you smoke, do it outside.
- Do not discard cigarettes in vegetation like mulch, potted plants, or landscaping.
- Before throwing away butts and ashes, make sure they are completely extinguished by dousing them in water or sand.
Candle Safety
Use these candle safety tips to reduce the chances of a fire.
- Blow out all candles when you leave a room or go to bed.
- Keep candles at least a foot away from anything flammable.
- Use candle holders that are sturdy and won’t tip over easily.
- Put candles on a sturdy, uncluttered surface.
Even with proper precautions, house fires can and do happen. That’s why it’s important to have working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. How many should you have? This blog has all the details.
Consider installing CPI Security Smart Smoke Detectors in your home. They are backed by CPI’s award-winning monitoring center, so if you’re unable to respond to the fire, someone from CI can alert the authorities for you.
