Fire Risks that can be avoided

Did you know that about every 24 seconds, a fire department in the United States responds to a fire somewhere in the nation.

Although it is true that the number of fires and fire deaths have decreased significantly since the 1970’s, some statistics are still disquieting. 1,319,500 is the reported number of fires responded to in 2017 with 499,000 being structure fires, with an alarming 72% of those being homes. 3,400 civilian deaths were a result of fires with 77% percent of those occurring in the home. So, what can you do to help protect yourself and prevent a fire?

Smoke Alarm

The first line of defense is a well-maintained smoke alarm. There is some truth to the statement that old smoke detectors cost lives. Every year people lose their lives simply because their smoke detectors failed to go off and alert them of the danger. The most common reason for a smoke alarm failure is just because the batteries are dead or the alarm has past its useful life. Battery detectors DO have a life and it is important to make sure yours are not past its life span. They are only good for 10 years. Some may alert you that they are at the end of their life with that annoying end-of-life chirping and some simply die a quiet death with no warning. Some have a “replace by” date sticker on the outside, if yours doesn’t it is highly recommended to place one on it yourself.

Cooking Fires

The statistics say that 23% of fires in the home and 9% of resulting deaths are cooking fires. U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 172,100 home structure fires per year started by cooking activities in 2012-2016, or an average of 471 home cooking fires per day. These fires caused an average of 530 civilian deaths, 5,270 reported civilian fire injuries, and $1.1 billion in direct property damage per year. Dish towels, curtains, even hot pads can easily catch fire if placed too close to a cooking fire. Grease fires in particular can quickly get out of control and are hard to stop once started. Home fires caused by cooking peaked at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Ranges or cooktops were involved in the 63% of reported home cooking fires, 86% of cooking fire deaths and 79% of cooking fire injuries. Surprisingly, electric ranges have a higher risk of cooking fires and associated losses than those using gas ranges. Unattended cooking was the leading cause of cooking fires and casualties. Clothing was the item first ignited in less than 1% of these fires, but clothing ignitions led to 15% of the home cooking fire deaths. One-third of the people killed by cooking fires were sleeping at the time. More than half of the non-fatal injuries occurred when people tried to control the fire themselves.

Turning the Heat Too High When You Cook

Cranking up the heat too high can be lethal, even if you’re in the kitchen while you cook. Kevin Kelley, senior director of community preparedness programs for the American Red Cross, recommends paying close attention and turning off the burner if you see smoke or grease starting to boil while frying food. This is the real reason most recipes have you bake at 350 degrees.

Having a Dirty Stove While You Cook

If your stove is covered with grease and other flammable grime, a small kitchen fire can get out of hand quickly. Clean and clear the area around the stove before turning on the heat.

Extension Cord

Overloaded extension cords, bad connections and other careless use of electrical devices can melt wire insulation and cause a fire. The statistics: Electrical equipment causes 9 percent of home fires and 10 percent of deaths. Overloaded extension cords, hidden electrical shorts, bad connections, and oversized bulbs and fixtures can ignite nearby combustibles and burn down your house.

Gas Water Heater

Clothes piled too close to a gas water heater can ignite when the water heater comes on. The protective doors for the gas burners are missing. Appliances (clothes dryers and gas water heaters) cause 7 percent of home fires and 4 percent of deaths. After problems with stoves and heaters, the biggest culprits in appliance fires are lint in dryers and combustibles near gas water heaters.

Fireplace Safety

Your home’s chimney should be swept at least once a year, according to the National Fire Protection Association. This fire safety measure will help remove soot and debris which could become a fire hazard. And when using the fireplace, keep any flammable materials, such as blankets, curtains and rugs away from the fireplace and never leave children unattended near a working fireplace.

Sawdust

Sawdust is highly combustible and shouldn’t be left around the garage or in the shop. There are a lot of components like electrical wiring, a short spark from metal objects colliding and chemicals during woodworking projects that can quickly ignite a sawdust pile.

Loose Outlets

The constant movement of loose electrical outlets can loosen the wires connected to the outlet and create dangerous arcing. Luckily, the fix is simple. If the outlet is recessed less than 1/4 in. in noncombustible material, you can fur it out with outlet shims as shown. If it’s recessed more than 1/4 in., use a plastic extension ring. You’ll find both in the electrical department at home centers.

Antiques

The old wiring of antique appliances make them a safety risk because the wiring dries and becomes brittle, which could fuel a fire. For those who especially love shopping for vintage light fixtures it’s imperative to know how old the wiring is, if the wiring has been replaced and whether the wiring is European or from the U.S. Look for a UL (Underwriters Laboratories) label somewhere on the wiring for a quick reference to see if it’s safe. UL tests lighting fixtures for safety.

Laptops

Laptops have caused fires in homes in the past. In 2013 a laptop running on a bed for 16 to 18 hours with a recalled battery in a Manassas, Virginia condo contributed to a fire that burned the condo down, according to a NBC Washington report. It seems the battery played the bigger role in igniting the blankets and comforter than the laptop. Most laptops include automatic shutdowns to prevent them from overheating.

9-Volt Batteries in Junk Drawers

People know a 9-volt battery and some steel wool is a great fire starter. Consequently, batteries shouldn’t be kept loose in a junk drawer, especially 9-volt batteries. It’s possible that any other item with metal in the junk drawer could short out a 9-volt battery and spark a fire. It’s best to keep batteries in the packaging or keep the posts covered with tape. Check with local officials on how to best dispose of 9-volt batteries.

The best defense against a property fire is education. Know what risks you can avoid to improve your chances of never having to face this sort of loss.