Most Common Fire Risks

8/15/2022 (Permalink)

Home fires are destructive not only to property, but also to human life. In fact, it is residential fires that are the most common cause of fire deaths, fire injuries, and fire dollar loss. We all aim to prevent more house fires, and to do that, it’s important to identify the most common fire risks.

So, what are the biggest fire hazards in a home? SERVPRO of Western Lancaster County explores some of the most frequent, so you’re prepared to mitigate the risks of a fire in your own home.  

1) Appliances and equipment

Any device in your home that generates heat or heats up with extended use is a potential fire risk. This includes stoves, heaters, and clothes dryers, as well as computers. (We recommend turning laptops off when you go to sleep or leave the house. Laptop fires are uncommon but not unknown.)

Cooking vessels left unattended are a common cause of preventable fires. If you’re prepping a meal in your slow cooker, be sure you’re there to keep an eye on it.

2) Candles

Never leave a candle unattended. A candle in a contained vessel (i.e., a glass jar) is less likely to be a fire hazard, but any candle forgotten can burn out of control and cause a fire, given the right circumstances.

3) Holiday decorations

You probably don’t have candles on your Christmas tree—that tradition was snuffed out long ago—but even modern Christmas lights can cause a fire. If you have a live tree that hasn’t been watered properly and has been left to dry out, the heat from the Christmas lights may cause it to catch fire.

4) Smoking

If you or someone in your home smokes, a house fire could be caused by that lit cigarette. Don’t be negligent in your smoking habits. It’s fairly common that people (1) fall asleep while smoking or (2) discard still-hot ashes into a trash can where they can ignite.

5) Indoor fireplace

It should be no shocker that one of the most common fire risks is your fireplace. A fire well managed shouldn’t cause any trouble, but all it takes is a single stray ember from an active flame to catch the carpet on fire.

6) Children

Children aren’t fire-breathing monsters—but they have been known to play with fire. You should talk regularly to your children about fire hazards and stress the importance of not playing with matches, lighters, candles, or other hazardous devices.

7) Lightning

You’ve probably heard the expression that you’re more likely to be struck by lightning than win the lottery. Well, your home (which takes up more square footage than you) is even more likely to be struck by lightning.

Your home may be more vulnerable to lightning fires if you live in a wooded area because lightning strikes can set your surroundings on fire, too.

Guard Against Common Fire Risks

The best way to guard against the most common fire risks is to (1) leave no possible fire sources unattended in your home and (2) have a smoke detector on every floor.

Want more tips for fireproofing your home? Reach out to SERVPRO of Western Lancaster County to learn more about our recommendations for fire prevention.