Fires happen in the home more often than you might think. They can be caused by a variety of things from cooking to candles, and even dust!
Every day, we do things that are bad for us. Some of these habits might not be so terrible on their own, but when they’re combined with others, the result could be catastrophic. Everyday Habits That Could Burn Down Your House is a blog post series dedicated to pointing out all of the little things you do every day that could lead to disaster if you don’t stop them now.
Bad Habits that could Cause Fire in Home
1) Cooking with Oil
Cooking oil, especially when heated to its smoke point causes oil fires. According to the National Fire Prevention Association, cooking is one of the top causes of home fires. A small distraction can lead to severe burns or worse. Be sure that you are focused on cooking and not distracted by anything else.
2) Smoking in Bed
Smoking cigarettes is a bad habit but there are some who still do it despite knowing the dangers associated with it. Consider this: if ashes fall on your bed, they might catch fire more quickly than they would elsewhere because upholstered walls provide less resistance than other materials do, making them even hotter than an average fire source. Put your cigarette out completely before you leave the room or go to sleep.
3) Cooking over Hot Coals
Grilling is a great way to cook food especially when the weather isn’t good for cooking inside, but did you know that grills and campfires can actually cause house fires? A grill fire starts when fat and grease from food catches fire and spreads quickly. Be sure to dispose of coals in a metal container outside before going to bed or leaving home.
4) Pulling Pranks with Fireworks
Fireworks are illegal in many states because they are extremely dangerous when misused. Firework related injuries are higher during the summer months when people set them off between the hours of 9pm-Midnight, which is one of the times children are most likely to be outside. Some people even use fireworks as a prank for April Fool’s Day or New Years, which isn’t funny at all because there is always someone who gets hurt every year after the jokes are done.
5) Storing Flammable Materials Improperly
Did you know that fires can start in your home from items you have hanging on your walls? Be sure to check if any of these items can catch fire: compressed gas cylinders, rags treated with flammable products such as paint thinner, and plastic products such as shower curtains or blinds. If they can catch fire, keep them away from heat sources.
6) Leaving Candles Unattended
Home fires caused by candles happen more often than you might think. Leaving candles unattended or burning candles overnight is a bad habit that can lead to fires. The best thing to do is blow out candles after use, especially if you’re falling asleep near them.
7) Not Caring for Your Heat Sources
Heat sources are the most common cause of home fires. Did you know that space heaters were responsible for 31% of all residential building fires in 2009? The National Fire Protection Association also reported that these types of heaters caused 52 deaths and 1,400 injuries related to heating equipment in 2006 alone! Be sure to have your heater inspected by an expert every year before using it again. It only takes one little spark to start a big fire that could burn down your home.
8) Ignoring Fire Alarms
Fire alarms and smoke detectors save lives and property by making a loud noise when they sense something is wrong. But did you know that most people who die in fires do so because they don’t hear the sound of the alarm? These deaths are usually caused by sleeping or alcohol impairment. Because it is unlikely for someone to build up such habits, be sure to test your fire alarms on a regular basis and consider connecting them to your security system if you have one.
How To Keep your Home safe from Such Disasters?
Bad habits are hard to break but if you want to keep your home safe from fires, try to keep these tips in mind:
- Be sure that all fires are completely out before leaving the room or going to sleep.
- If you have a fireplace, be sure it’s clean and use it safely by following instructions provided by the manufacturer.
- Use electrical appliances only when they are plugged into their proper outlets. If an appliance makes a funny smell or gives any other sign of malfunctioning, turn it off immediately so there is no risk of fire.
- Know how to put out small fires with baking soda before calling for help.
- Know how to prevent cooking-related fires including barbeques and campfires by properly disposing of grills, hot oil, and grease after use.
- Don’t drink alcohol before sleep because it makes you less aware of what’s happening around you.
- Finally, test your fire alarms on a regular basis to stay updated with their condition. You can also install them in your bedrooms or connect them to your security system if you have one so that the home will be fully protected… at least for this type of emergency.
CONCLUSION
You can never be too careful when it comes to your home. With the information given in this article, hopefully you’ll have a better understanding of why bad habits are so dangerous and what you can do to prevent them from happening in your own home. Be sure to share this article with friends and family members who need more knowledge on how they can avoid such disasters. For more helpful tips like this, visit us at https://sameday-restoration.com/. Same Day Restoration of Orange County CA provides quality emergency restoration and cleaning services to both commercial and residential establishments. Our technicians are IICRC-certified and have many years of experience in the industry. Contact Us Today!
