As we’ve seen recently in California, fires can devastate communities, claim lives (humans and animals) and cause millions of dollars’ worth of damage. While unfortunately there isn’t much to be done to prevent bushfires, everyone should think about how to stop fires from occurring within their homes. Every year, there are thousands of home fires across the country, even though smoke detectors and other hazard prevention systems are meant to be in place.
There are steps you can take to fix things up after limited fire and smoke damage occur in a home, such as contacting specialists like Service Master Restore, but it’s naturally better to prevent fires from happening in the first place. To help you keep yourself, loved ones and your home safe from this kind of disaster, read on for some of the most common reasons why house fires occur and some ways to prevent them.
Candles
Many home fires start each year because of candles. While they’re popular to have around, and can add romance, ambience, a lovely smell and more, they do unfortunately also pose a risk. In particular, candles can be a real issue if they are lit then left unattended.
To stay safe, only ever use candles when someone is in the room with them, paying attention to how they’re burning. Don’t fall asleep with them alight, and don’t let children light or use them in any areas of the home if you’re not supervising. Never leave a candle burning while you go out or leave them unattended around pets.
Candles should also be placed in sturdy holders that won’t tip over. Put them on level surfaces too, so they won’t be able to fall over and set light to anything in your room. Always keep them clear of any type of combustible material.
Faulty Wiring and Electrical Equipment
Another problem that often causes fires is faulty wiring. While this is more common in older properties than new ones, it can happen in even the newest homes. Bad internal house wiring can lead to fires, as can issues directly stemming from power points or appliance leads.
Over time, electrical cords sometimes fray, become loose and crack as they deteriorate. Alternatively, wires can also simply have a fault which causes disrepair. When cords get into a bad state, sparks can come out of them. These sparks can start fires if and when they hit flammable surfaces.
To reduce the risks of this happening, keep an eye on all the wiring and electrical equipment you can see in your home. Look for warning signs, like loose plugs or wires coming out of leads. Be careful when using lots of extension cords or “octopus” outlets and when having to disconnect one electrical item to plug in another. Plus, if you see your lights dim when you plug something new in, or if you find fuses or circuit breakers blow regularly, get an electrician in to check your home’s wiring ASAP.
Smoking
Annually, there are numerous fires which start in homes because smokers become drowsy or fall asleep with a lit cigarette. As well, sometimes people think they’ve put their cigarette or cigar out but haven’t done the job properly. Their smoldering butts, which can actually stay smoldering for much longer than most people think, may have embers remaining which, if they hit furniture, curtains, bedding or other flammable items, could catch alight quickly.
Stop this from happening in your household by using deep, large ashtrays, which you keep away from flammable things. Check for embers which may have fallen, too, such as onto the ground or a table. Avoid smoking if you have been drinking a lot, taking medication or are particularly tired as this increases the risk of you nodding off with a lit cigarette in hand. It is also wise to keep smoking to the outside areas of your property, rather than inside, whenever possible.
Children Playing with Fire
Of course, as you’d imagine, on occasions inquisitive children become curious about matches and even enthralled by flames and start a fire while they’re not being supervised. To prevent this situation, make sure you talk to your children about the dangers of fires and explain that matches and other related items aren’t toys.
Never leave kids unsupervised around candles, as mentioned above, or other flame-producing sources such as stoves and fireplaces. You may want to lock away your matches and lighters, too, in a safe place, so you know your children can’t get access to them if you’re in another room or out of the house.
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