Common Causes of House Fires and How to Prevent Them
As Fire Prevention Month continues, let’s take a look at some of the most common causes of house fires, warning signs that your home is at risk, and what you can do to prevent a fire.
Dryer Fires
Hazards
- Lint buildup in the dryer’s trap, vent, or ducts
- Lint is highly flammable and can ignite when near heat from the dryer.
- The use of plastic or accordion-style dryer ducts between the vent and the dryer
- These should not be used because they allow lint to build up, which can catch on fire if it meets a sufficient amount of heat.
- Improper dryer ventilation
- This can lead to serious issues due to exhaust not being released outside.
- Improper use of a dryer
- Trying to dry materials that shouldn’t be in the dryer, overloading, or drying items with cooking oils on them can all be fire risks.
- A faulty electrical system
Warning Signs
- There’s a burning smell in the laundry room.
- The dryer takes longer to dry clothes or doesn’t dry them completely.
- Clothes are hotter than usual when you remove them from the dryer.
- The dryer gets unusually hot on the outside.
Prevention
- Clean your lint trap after every single use of the dryer.
- Clean and inspect the dryer duct and exhaust vent at least once a year. If you notice the dryer is not effectively drying your laundry, check for a blockage in the vent system.
- Never overload your dryer.
- Laundry stained with gas, cooking oil, cleaning agents, or other flammable chemicals or substances should be washed more than once, then hung to dry instead of going into the dryer.
- Keep the area around the dryer clean.
- Place a smoke detector near or directly above the dryer.
Space Heater Fires
Hazards
- Leaving a space heater running while unattended
- Placing space heaters near flammable/combustible items
- This includes anything from curtains to bedding to matches to gas cans.
- Space heaters getting moved or knocked over
- Using a space heater with a power strip or extension cord
- Power strips and extension cords are not designed to handle the electrical demands of a space heater.
- Damage to the heater’s cord
- Plugging another cord into the same outlet as a space heater
- This could overload the outlet and spark a fire.
Warning Signs
- The cord is damaged.
- The heater is not warming up.
- The plug feels hot.
- The heater is making unusual noises.
Prevention
- Place space heaters on a hard, level, non-flammable surface.
- Keep children and pets at least three feet away from space heaters at all times.
- Check the cord for damage before every use.
- Turn off space heaters when leaving the room, even if it’s just for a minute. Unplug space heaters before leaving the house or going to bed.
- Never plug another cord into the same outlet as a space heater to avoid overheating.
- Don’t use a space heater with a power strip or extension cord. This can also lead to overheating because these can’t support the electrical needs of a space heater.
- Make sure your space heater has an automatic shut-off in case it gets moved or tipped over.
Fireplace/Chimney Fires
Hazards
- A blocked flue
- Blockage could be due to creosote, animals nesting in the chimney, or the collapse of internal chimney bricks.
- No glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace to keep sparks and embers in
- A damaged or leaking chimney
- An improperly constructed chimney
- Decorations hanging from the mantle that could catch fire
Warning Signs
- If you can smell smoke when using the fireplace, this means that smoke is being blocked from going up and out through the chimney.
- Your carbon monoxide detector may go off if fumes from the fireplace are entering your home instead of exiting through the chimney as they should.
- Cracks and crumbling, stains, rust, water leaks, discoloration, and melted mortar in your chimney are all signs that it is damaged.
Prevention
- Have your chimney professionally cleaned and inspected at least once a year.
- Call a professional if you believe your chimney is damaged or wasn’t properly constructed.
- Keep a screen in front of the fireplace.
- Don’t burn paper in a fireplace.
- Keep the area around the fireplace clear of flammable objects.
- Use creosote sweeping logs to reduce the buildup of creosote.
Electrical Fires
Hazards
- Faulty wiring and outlets
- Overloaded circuits
- Old or overheating appliances
- Charging cords that get too hot when in use
- Overloaded extension cords or power strips
Warning Signs
- Dimming or flickering lights does not usually indicate an issue with light fixtures themselves, but rather a major appliance that’s wired to the same circuit.
- Unusual odors coming from outlets, fuse boxes, or breaker panels indicate electrical problems.
- Sparking is dangerous and requires a call to your electrician.
- Frequent tripped breakers or blown fuses are not only huge headaches, but they’re also signs that your electrical system is overloaded.
- When working properly, you shouldn’t be able to hear your electrical system. However, if you hear a buzzing sound, there could be loose prongs, faulty outlets, or frayed wiring that are causing currents to jump and creating that buzzing sound.
- Hot outlets or switch plates indicate that they are wired incorrectly.
Prevention
- Always have a professional handle your home’s electrical needs.
- Have your electrical professionally inspected if you have a home that’s older than 20 years. Outdated electrical systems are not designed to handle modern energy demands.
- Since water is such a great conductor of electricity, kitchens and bathrooms both require shock-resistant outlets. If the outlets in your kitchen and bathrooms look the same as those throughout the rest of your house, they should be replaced.
- Use extension cords and power strips sparingly and for short periods of time. When you do use them, don’t overload them.
- If old appliances, such as fridges, air conditioners, or washer/dryers start to malfunction, have them checked out by a professional or replace them with newer, safer appliances.
Other Common Causes of House Fires
Smoking, cooking, and candles are some other common causes of house fires.
When smoking, always do so outside and carefully dispose of cigarette butts. Avoid discarding them on the ground, especially when conditions are dry or windy.
When cooking, never leave a stove or grill unattended and keep kids and pets at least three feet away from it. Keep flammable items away from the stovetop or grill as well. When cooking in a pot or pan, turn its handle toward the back of the stove to keep from bumping into it. Always keep a lid close by in case you have to smother a small grease fire. If a fire starts in the oven, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. Call 911 if the fire does not eventually go out on its own. Also keep in mind that it’s best to avoid cooking when you feel drowsy or have consumed alcohol.
When lighting candles, keep them at a safe distance from other objects and materials that could catch fire. Never leave a lit candle unattended, especially if there are children or pets in the house. Matches and lighters should also be kept out of reach and out of sight from children. Switching to battery-operated candles is a great way to enjoy the ambiance of a candle while eliminating a potential fire hazard.