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

There are a plethora of dangers you need to think about as a property owner. Fire is chief among them, as it can happen in any place and at any moment. The U.S. Fire Administration approximated an incredible $8.9 billion in property damage across the United States as a result of residential fires in 2021. Also during this year, there were more than 350,000 noted incidents. Fortunately, there are things you can do to keep them from happening|. Learn more about the causes and how to prevent house fires in Greenville.

What starts residential fires in Greenville?

Fires can begin in any location and without warning, whether ignited by a burning cigarette in a trash can or an ignored stovetop. Here are the top causes of residential fires.

• Cooking: Incidents in the kitchen are the most frequent sorts of residential fires in Greenville and elsewhere. Neglected stovetops are the chief source, so always keep an eye on that smoking skillet when making a meal. It’s also essential to note that putting water on a grease fire will only make matters worse.
• Heating: Portable heaters are a well-known cause of residential fires. Running them for lengthy time periods can result in inner components degrading and sparking. Putting heaters near flammable materials like blankets and drapery or using damaged cords will also lead to disaster. Other heating devices, such as fireplaces and furnaces, might cause fires and need to be examined frequently.
• Electrical: Outdated wiring, defective outlets, and overloaded extension cords are a few of the ways electrical problems result in fires. Don’t ever run an appliance with a frayed cord, and make sure flammable objects like paper aren’t placed on a lampshade, get it inspected right away.
• Candles: Wherever there's a flame, there's the possibility of fire. Residential fires caused by candles are still commonplace and often result from careless behavior. Placing them within reach of pets or next to ignitable objects will lead to disaster.
• Smoking: In spite of the overall reduction in smoking across the nation, it’s still an unquestionable fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration announced that 7,800 residential fires were a result of smoking in 2021. Nodding off with a cigarette in hand or disposing of smoldering ashes prematurely can cause devastating results.

The best way to prevent house fires in Greenville is to eliminate careless behavior. Always watch closely when cooking, never leave a candle burning unattended, and properly dispose of cigarettes. If you must use a space heater, do so infrequently and invest in one that offers an automatic shut-off safety precaution in the event it overturns.

Protect your family with a monitored fire alarm in Greenville

You ought to have smoke detectors on all floors and consider using more next to bedrooms. But you can take your home’s safety a step further with a monitored fire alarm. These innovative safety features will not only detect smoke but can also be triggered due to extreme heat. Furthermore, since they incorporate into your modern smart home, they’ll notify you and your monitoring specialists whenever a crisis strikes. This is a worthwhile perk, specifically when you’re not there to hear the alarm and phone the fire department yourself.

Safeguard your home against various dangers with a Vivint smart home in Greenville

Elevate the safety of your property today with a Vivint smart home. You can customize our systems with monitored fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and water sensors. You’ll be thankful for the instant alerts to your mobile device and the reassurance that you enjoy with professional monitoring. Contact (252) 648-6502 to speak with a skilled Vivint professional.