3 Most Common Causes of House Fires in America

1/25/2022 (Permalink)

It’s every homeowner’s worst nightmare. You hear the piercing chirp of the smoke alarm. You smell burning and then smoke. And you realize your home is on fire. Luckily, there are some precautions you can take to prevent becoming the victim of the three most common causes of American house fires.

The most common cause of house fires is unattended cooking. Whether you’re baking, grilling, broiling, or boiling, never leave your cook station unattended. We’re all human, and, therefore, forgetful. We walk away from the stove to do one thing, and then we get a text, and 20 minutes later we smell burning. It’s a terrible feeling! 

When cooking, never leave the stove or grill unattended. If you absolutely must step away, set an alarm on the stove. That way, if you forget, the stove alarm will remind you. Also, be prepared, and have a fire extinguisher on hand. Every floor of your home should have a working fire extinguisher. Pay attention to the “service by” date, and have your extinguisher serviced regularly.  

The second most common cause of house fires is due to improper use of heating equipment like space heaters. When using a space heater, make sure it is set away from any flammable material like clothes, bedding, curtains, furniture, and carpet. And remember, space heaters should only be used to heat small areas of your home, not the entire home. So use them accordingly, and do not leave them on when you leave home.  

The third most common cause is scary because it’s so difficult to detect: faulty wiring. Behind your walls, you could have old wiring that could cause sparks and lead to fires. But there are some signs you can look out for. If you notice that when you use other appliances your lights flicker? Do you often experience blown fuses? Do you smell burning or melting plastic around your outlets? Any of these signs could mean you have faulty wiring. If you suspect your home may have faulty wiring, contact your trusted electrician to investigate.