Sources of Fire to Watch Out For

10/6/2020 (Permalink)

Don't Get Burned!

Sources of Fire to Watch Out For

Whether you live in a house, trailer, or an apartment, you are always at risk for a fire, or smoke damage. It’s a good idea to know what some of the main sources are.

1. Cooking equipment – Cooking is one of the leading causes of house fires. When you get a pan of oil or grease too hot on the stove, it makes it very flammable and it can flash. Holiday cooking is another cause. When cooking during the holidays you’re preparing multiple dishes at once, while entertaining guests at the same time. If you’re not paying attention, a simple mistake such as laying a towel too close to the stove flame can cause a fire. Another source would be kitchen appliances, such as crockpots, toasters, and griddles. An electrical short from a damaged cord, or putting a hot appliance away before it has fully cooled, can cause damage.
2. Candles – If a candle is allowed to burn too closely to curtains or flammable items, they could catch on fire. Also, leaving candles burning unattended can lead to a mishap.
3. Smoking – If a cigarette or cigar is not completely snuffed out, the embers could still be a risk to ignite a fire.
4. Children playing with fire – Most children are curious with fire, and what can cause it. They see someone light a match, or a lighter, or even the gas stove, they want to get ahold of it and light it themselves. Because they don’t understand the risk of what could happen, sometimes an accidental fire can happen.
5. Barbeque – During the summer, there is a lot more outdoor cooking. Most outdoor cooking is done on a gas appliance, or using a charcoal or wood fire. You never want to leave a grill unattended on a wooden porch. And it is important to avoid grilling too closely to a house or fence.
6. Wiring – When it comes to the wiring in your home, you don’t want to take any short cuts. It should be up to date, and installed by a professional. Overheating or an electrical short can quickly start a fire inside the walls of your home.
7. Christmas tree – The Christmas tree is everyone’s favorite, whether it’s a real tree or artificial. If it’s a real tree, you want to make sure that the stand is full of water so the tree doesn’t dry out. With both artificial and natural trees, placing them too close to a heat source (such as a fireplace or baseboard heater) can be a fire hazard.
8. Heating Equipment – During winter, it is a common practice to use a space heater to warm up a cold area in a house, or to add heat to a garage. It is critical that space heaters are kept a safe distance from any combustible materials. Walls, clothes, curtains, and furniture can ignite if they are too close to a space heater. The same holds true for electric baseboard heat registers. A safe radius of at least six inches from the front and sides of the unit should be kept clear of any combustible materials.

Some fires are accidental and beyond your control. But most can be easily prevented through basic safety precautions. Always be aware of the steps you can take to prevent a fire.

SERVPRO of Sooland specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. We can handle any size disaster!