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Six Ways Home Fires Can Start and How to Prevent Them

Posted on July 18, 2021 by Allen Brown

Fire is an essential factor in our everyday lives but can turn dangerous when left uncontrolled. Fire is used for cooking, warming the house, lighting the room, and cigarettes, though, can consume the whole house. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that there are no fire outbreaks in your home. 

Even though you install smoke detectors, the fire can still outdo the water sprinkler and cause significant damage. It is crucial to avoid the initial cause to prevent these damages. Therefore, here are some of the incidences that lead to fire outbreaks and various ways to prevent this from happening.

Cooking Equipment

Fire can result when you are cooking. In most cases, fire will result when you leave the cooking unattended. This cooking equipment can heat and lead to fire outbreaks. Items like toaster can heat up and catch flammable materials around like paper or cloth and lead to a more significant fire.

Gas leaks can be a cause of a fire. The leaked gas would burst into flames when you ignite the cooker. Therefore, before you start cooking, ensure that there are no signs of leaking gas. Correctly install the delivery tubes and ensure that the connection points are air-tight. Such would prevent gas leaks. 

Ensure that you are always available when cooking. Don’t leave in the middle of a cooking process. Ensure that you prepare everything you would need during the cooking so that you are not distracted. Installing smoke detectors would play a significant in putting off the fire. You can also install easy-to-open exterior doors to escape can be easier in case of a fire hazard.

Candles

Lighting candles in your room can bring a romantic experience. The lighting and smells can create a beautiful moment that you can enjoy with your partner. Also, you can use candles to lighten the room when there is a blackout. However, it can turn out to be a dangerous event when a fire starts. Ensure that you light your candles far from any flammable material. Ensure that you place the candles on the above surfaces to be close to any material that can catch fire. When leaving the room, ensure that you blow out the candles to avoid any fire when you aren’t around.

Heating Equipment

It can be cold during winter, and heating the room can make it a comfortable place to stay. However, you have to be careful with the heating equipment you use. Having flammable materials close to the heater can turn out catastrophic as they can easily catch fire. Always ensure that you keep your heating equipment one meter away from any material. Also, when you leave the room, ensure that you turn off the heater to avoid any hazardous event.

Smoking In the Bedroom

However fun of smoking you are, the bedroom should be the last place to smoke. Tiny hot cigarette ash can light up the mattress or rug and burn the entire house. In most cases, fires due to smoking result when the smoker falls asleep with the lit cigarette on their hand. Even when you stop smoking, the cigarette can continue to burn, leading to fire without your knowledge. Therefore, ensure that you create rules about smoking in your house. For instance, you can ensure that people smoke outside the home. Or, if you must smoke in the house, do it besides the sink so you can discard all the hot ashes that can lead to a fire.

Faulty Wiring

Fire can result due to faulty wiring. Loose electric cables can contact each other or metallic materials or water to cause a fire. Loose wires can get into contact to generate sparks and, ultimately, fire bursts. It is vital to ensure that you have a proper connection in your home. Regular inspection of your electrical connection can be an ideal way to detect and repair any faulty connection. Also, avoid overloading sockets as this can result in fires.

Curious Children

Children may not know the impact of fire, and they can tend to play with it for fun. Therefore, you can find them turning gas knobs on the cooker or playing with your lighter. Ensure that you teach your kids to avoid these items. Also, keep items such as lighters away from them. Teach the children to master their address to call 911 in case of a fire accident quickly.




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