Leading causes of residential fires in Houston and how to prevent them

When you own a home, there are numerous hazards to consider. Fire is foremost among them, as it can arise in any place and at any time. The U.S. Fire Administration approximated an astounding $8.9 billion in property damage across the United States because of residential fires in 2021. In the same year, there were over 350,000 noted fires. Luckily, there are steps you can take to stay clear of them. Take a look at the causes and how to prevent house fires in Houston.

What sparks residential fires in Houston?

Fires can sprout up in any spot and without warning, whether sparked by a burning cigarette in a waste container or a neglected stovetop. Here are the leading causes of residential fires.

• Cooking: Incidents in the kitchen are the most frequent kinds of residential fires in Houston and elsewhere. Ignored stovetops are the main culprit, so always watch that scorching skillet when cooking. It’s also essential to note that putting water on a grease fire will only make things worse.
• Heating: Area heaters are well known for causing residential fires. Operating them for too long might cause inner parts to break down and catch fire. Situating heaters near combustible fabrics like blankets and curtains or using worn cords can also lead to disastrous results. Other heating devices, such as fireplaces and furnaces, may cause fires and need to be examined periodically.
• Electrical: Outdated wiring, faulty outlets, and overloaded extension cords are a few of the ways electrical problems cause fires. If you notice burning smells, sparking, or flickering lights, get it inspected right away.
• Candles: When there's a flame, there's the potential for fire. Residential fires due to candles are still commonplace and typically result from people being careless. Placing them within reach of pets or next to combustible items will often produce disastrous results.
• Smoking: Despite the overall decrease in smoking across the country, it’s still a primary fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration announced that 7,800 residential fires were a result of smoking in 2021. Falling asleep with a cigarette still burning or discarding smoldering ashes too soon can cause devastating results.

The primary way to prevent house fires in Houston is to be careful at all times. Always keep an eye on things when cooking, never leave a candle burning, and properly discard cigarettes. If you have to use a space heater, do so in short intervals and get one that has an automatic shut-off safety precaution in case it is knocked over.

Protect your family with a monitored fire alarm in Houston

You need to have smoke detectors on all floors and consider using more next to bedrooms. But you can take your home’s safety to a new level with a monitored fire alarm. These innovative safety components will not only discern smoke but can also be tripped due to rising heat. Furthermore, since they are part of your modern smart home, they’ll warn you and your monitoring professionals whenever an emergency strikes. This is a worthwhile benefit, specifically when you’re not home to hear the alarm and call the fire department yourself.

Protect against various dangers with a Vivint smart home in Houston

Elevate the safety of your property today with a Vivint smart home. You can customize our systems with monitored fire alarms, CO detectors, and flood sensors. You’ll be thankful for the instant notifications to your smartphone and the 24-hour support that you get with professional monitoring. Dial (713) 597-3506 to get started.