Fire Prevention In Your Home

8/12/2020 (Permalink)

We’ve received advance training in restoration techniques, and we have the experience and specialized equipment to quickly restore your property.

Considering the possibility of a fire in your home is not pleasant. For thousands of people throughout the country each year, a residential fire has become a reality.

Want to take steps to protect your home from a structure fire? Take some time to review common fire hazards and some lesser-known ones.

Remember to Watch Those Candles

After reviewing data for a five-year period, the National Fire Protection Association found that fire departments in the U.S. responded to an estimated 8,700 home structure fires a year that were started by candles.

Candles are reported to have caused 2 percent of home fires, with 3 percent resulting in death and 7 percent with injuries. There were an average of 24 home candle fires reported per day over those five years—and December was when home candle fire instances were most common.

Of all the candle fires during this time span, 37 percent started in bedrooms and were responsible for 36 percent of the associated deaths and 51 percent of the associated injuries. In total, there were 82 deaths, 800 injuries and $295 million in direct property damage.

If you’re burning a candle, make sure it’s at least one foot away from anything flammable and in a sturdy holder that won’t tip over easily. You should not be burning candles in a home where oxygen is being used, and remember to always blow out all candles before leaving a room or going to sleep.

Smoking and Home Structure Fires

Cooking is the leading cause of home fires, but smoking inside is the leading cause of home fire deaths. In 2014, an estimated 17,200 home structure fires were reported due to smoking materials, which includes cigarettes, cigars and pipes.

The Coalition for Fire-Safe Cigarettes reported that those fires resulted in 570 deaths, 1,140 injuries and $426 million in property damage.

Fire-safe cigarettes are the safest option, and deep, sturdy ashtrays should always be used. Put out all cigarette butts and ashes in water or sand prior to throwing them.

Smokers should know that most deaths result from fires that have started in living rooms, family rooms or bedrooms. Also, keep in mind that one out of four fatal victims of smoking-material fires is not the smoker whose cigarette started the fire.

Glassware Can Be a Fire Hazard

There are many lesser-known hazards that may be present in your home that could also cause of home structure fires.

Some types of glassware in your home can pose a fire risk, because when sunlight passes through them, the concentrated ray could ignite flammable materials. This is why it’s smart to move glass accessories away from windows.

Look out for loose outlets in your home, because the movement of these electrical outlets could loosen the wires connected to the outlet and create dangerous arcing, increasing the risk of fire.

Dust can also pose a fire risk when collecting near electrical sockets and floor heaters. Vacuuming or sweeping your floors regularly and cleaning behind those hard-to-reach places, like an entertainment system, can help prevent buildup.
Our professionals are experts at guiding you through the process to restore your home or business.

We take a caring and emphatic approach, treating you, your home or business, and your belongings with respect. Our team will be at your side step-by-step providing knowledge to navigate through any size fire or smoke damage.

Fire and smoke damage can be devastating to homes, and in many circumstances, can be accompanied by water damage from firefighting efforts. If your home is damaged by fire or smoke, SERVPRO® of West Bradenton/Anna Maria Island (941) 792-7715 is here to help restore your home to pre-fire condition.