Common causes of residential fires in Columbus and how to prevent them

When you own a home, there are numerous threats to think about. Fire is chief among them, as it can occur anywhere and at any moment. The U.S. Fire Administration estimated a stunning $8.9 billion in property damage across the United States because of residential fires in 2021. Also during this year, there were more than 350,000 noted occurrences. Luckily, there are actions you can take to keep them from taking place|. Take a look at the causes and how to prevent house fires in Columbus.

What starts residential fires in Columbus?

Fires can sprout up anywhere and without warning, whether ignited by a smoldering cigarette in a waste container or a neglected stovetop. Here are the most common causes of residential fires.

• Cooking: Incidents in the kitchen are the most common kinds of residential fires in Columbus and everywhere else. Neglected stovetops are the chief origin, so always watch that smoking skillet when cooking. It’s also worth nothing that drenching a grease fire with water will only make things worse.
• Heating: Space heaters are well known for causing residential fires. Using them for too long may cause internal parts to break down and ignite. Situating heaters near flammable objects like bedding and curtains or using worn cords can also lead to disaster. Other heating devices, such as furnaces and fireplaces, could cause fires and need to be checked regularly.
• Electrical: Old wiring, faulty outlets, and overwhelmed extension cords are some ways electrical complications lead to fires. Never operate an appliance with a tattered cord, and make sure ignitable objects like paper aren’t put on top of a lampshade, get it investigated promptly.
• Candles: When there's a flame, there's the potential for fire. Residential fires from candles are still commonplace and usually result from carelessness. Placing them within reach of pets or next to combustible materials will lead to disaster.
• Smoking: Even with the overall decline in smoking nationwide, it’s still an undeniable fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration announced that 7,800 residential fires were caused by smoking in 2021. Dozing off with a cigarette still burning or prematurely throwing out smoldering ashes can bring about catastrophic results.

The primary way to prevent house fires in Columbus is to be diligent at all times. Always pay attention when cooking, don’t leave a candle burning, and get rid of cigarettes properly. If you must run a space heater, do so in short intervals and use one that has an automatic shut-off feature in the event it tips over.

Protect your family with a monitored fire alarm in Columbus

You should have smoke detectors on all floors and consider using more near sleeping areas. But you can take your protection a step further with a monitored fire alarm. These innovative safety features will not only detect smoke but can also be tripped due to rising heat. Additionally, because they integrate into your modern smart home, they’ll notify you and your monitoring professionals whenever a crisis strikes. This is a nice perk, particularly when you’re not around to hear the alarm and contact the fire department yourself.

Defend against known risks with a Vivint smart home in Columbus

Upgrade the protection of your property today with a Vivint smart home. You may personalize our systems with monitored fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and water sensors. You’ll be appreciative of the instant alerts to your mobile device and the reassurance that you enjoy with professional monitoring. Dial (614) 820-1364 to talk with a Vivint representative.