Fire safety is critical to help save your home and family. Unfortunately, not many people understand how quickly a fire can spread, and how fast it can start. According to The Zebra, the top three most common causes of house fires are cooking (accounting for half of all fires), heating equipment (12.5%), and electrical malfunction (6.3%). Below are some more details about these common causes of house fires to help keep you safe.

1. Cooking Fires

Fire safety emphasizes the importance of never leaving a cooking appliance unattended. Grease, oils, and other combustible materials can easily catch fire when exposed to high heat, and it only takes a few seconds for an entire kitchen to become engulfed in flames. To prevent fires while cooking, always keep flammable items away from burners and stovetops, have working smoke detectors, and pay attention to the cooking process.

2. Heating Equipment

Fires caused by heating equipment can be incredibly dangerous and are more common during colder months when people use space heaters or wood-burning stoves to stay warm. Always check for any loose wiring on the devices, make sure the devices are properly vented, and keep them several feet away from any flammable materials. Additionally, be sure to unplug these devices when they are not in use.

3. Electrical Malfunction

Many electrical fires start due to faulty wiring or overloaded circuits. To prevent these types of fires, make sure that any outlets or wiring in your home are up-to-date and functioning properly. Additionally, be aware of how many appliances you have plugged into a single outlet, as this could increase the risk of an electrical fire.

4. Cigarette Fires

When cigarettes are not extinguished properly, they can quickly ignite materials in your home. To prevent cigarette fires, it is important to never smoke indoors and always make sure that the cigarette is fully extinguished before disposing of it. Additionally, have working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in your home as a further safety measure.

Making sure you understand the common causes of house fires can help protect your home and loved ones from a potentially dangerous situation. Always take the necessary precautions and practice fire safety. If you ever do experience a fire, make sure to contact the appropriate emergency services promptly. Call our team at FireTron today to learn more.