The Most Common Causes Of House Fires

1/14/2020 (Permalink)

A fire can ignite in seconds and spread uncontrollably, decimating your home in minutes. According to reports, there are more than 350,000 house fires every year in the U.S. They can be started in many ways, generally falling into either of these two categories: combustible materials or chemical reactions. Here are some of the most common causes of house fires:

• Cooking. This is probably the most common of all and is often caused by grease that is overheated on a stove or in the oven. Grease is very flammable and can combust spontaneously. Once it is ignited it’s difficult to control. Never leave the kitchen unattended when cooking in oil or if the food you are cooking produces grease.
• Heaters. Space and baseboard heaters are common causes of fire as well, especially if items made of fabric or combustible materials are placed too close to them. Electrical heaters are also dangerous if the wiring is faulty or if flammable items get too near. 
• Electrical Wiring. Short circuits causing arcing are another culprit, as are circuits that are overloaded.
• Smoking. Cigarette butts dropped on furniture, carpets, or other flammable materials are yet another common cause of house fires. This often happens due to the smoker falling asleep. Smoking in bed is especially dangerous since it only takes a single stray ash to ignite bedding or clothing. 
• Candles. During the holidays, candles are a common culprit of house fires. Always extinguish them when you leave the room, and keep them at least 12 inches away from any flammable materials. 
• Chemicals. Residential chemical fires occur when vapors from gas and other petroleum liquids reach a high temperature or when the fumes contact a source of an open flame.   
  Store all fuels and other chemicals in their proper containers and keep them in locations that are protected from heat. 
• Oily Rags. Another cause of fires is when oily rags spontaneously heat up. Never store oil-soaked or chemical-soaked rags after they are used, and never stack them in a pile. Heat can be spontaneously generated as the fumes combine with oxygen. These rags should be spread out in an outdoor location until the oil evaporates. Once thoroughly dry, they can be washed for reuse. 
• Christmas Trees. Christmas trees are a holiday tradition for many families, but they come with risks. Real evergreen trees tend to dry out over time, and by the end of the holiday season, they can pose a very serious danger of flash fire. A hot light or a spark can immediately set the tree aflame, and such fires spread incredibly fast, engulfing a room in a matter of seconds. 

If you experience damage from fire or flooding, give us a call. The team here at SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville has the training, equipment, and expertise to get you back to normal as soon as possible.