Common causes of residential fires in Worcester and how to avoid them

When you own a home, there are a wide range of risks to consider. Fire is at the top of the list, as it can arise in any place and at any time. The U.S. Fire Administration estimated a stunning $8.9 billion in property damage in the United States because of residential fires in 2021. Also during this year, there were more than 350,000 reported occurrences. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to keep them from taking place|. Learn more about the causes and how to prevent house fires in Worcester.

What causes residential fires in Worcester?

Fires can start anywhere and without notice, whether sparked by a burning cigarette in a garbage can or an unattended stovetop. Here are the leading causes of residential fires.

• Cooking: Incidents in the kitchen are the most widespread types of residential fires in Worcester and everywhere else. Ignored stovetops are the chief source, so always pay attention to that smoking skillet when making dinner. It’s also worth nothing that throwing water on a grease fire will only make matters worse.
• Heating: Area heaters are a well-known cause of residential fires. Using them for too long can cause internal pieces to wear out and ignite. Worn cords and situating heaters near combustible materials like bed sheets or curtains will also lead to disastrous results. Other types of heating, such as furnaces and fireplaces, may cause fires and should be checked regularly.
• Electrical: Old wiring, faulty outlets, and overloaded extension cords are a few of the ways electrical issues cause fires. Whenever you detect sparking, flickering lights, or strange odors, get it investigated right away.
• Candles: Whenever there's a flame, there's a chance of fire. Residential fires caused by candles are still all too common and usually result from careless behavior. Burning candles too close to ignitable materials like drapery or leaving them within the reach of a rambunctious pet will lead to disaster.
• Smoking: In spite of the overall decline in smoking across the nation, it’s still a primary fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration announced that 7,800 residential fires were started by smoking in 2021. Falling asleep with a cigarette in hand or discarding smoldering ashes carelessly can cause catastrophic results.

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

Protect your family with a monitored fire alarm in Worcester

You should have smoke detectors on every floor and consider using more near bedrooms. But you can take your home’s safety a step further with a monitored fire alarm. These beneficial safety devices will not only detect smoke but can also trigger due to elevated heat levels. In addition, since they integrate into your modern smart home, they’ll alert you and your monitoring specialists whenever an emergency takes place. This is a worthwhile perk, particularly when you’re not around to hear the alarm and call the fire department yourself.

Defend against common dangers with a Vivint smart home in Worcester

Elevate the safety of your household today with a Vivint smart home. You may customize our systems with monitored fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and water sensors. You’ll be appreciative of the instant updates to your cell phone and the peace of mind that you enjoy with professional monitoring. Place a call to (508) 392-5472 to get started.