Top causes of residential fires in St. George and how to avoid them

When you own a home, there are a wide range of threats to think about. Fire is foremost among them, as it can happen in any place and anytime. The U.S. Fire Administration estimated an astounding $8.9 billion in property damage throughout the United States due to residential fires in 2021. Also during this year, there were in excess of 350,000 recorded fires. Fortunately, there are actions you can take to stay clear of them. Investigate the causes and how to prevent house fires in St. George.

What starts residential fires in St. George?

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

• Cooking: Kitchen flare-ups are the most common types of residential fires in St. George and all other areas. Ignored stovetops are the main origin, so always keep an eye on that hot skillet when cooking. It’s also essential to note that dousing a grease fire with water will only make matters worse.
• Heating: Space heaters are well known for causing residential fires. Operating them for too long might result in internal components wearing down and sparking. Situating heaters by flammable objects like bedding and drapes or using frayed cords can also lead to disaster. Other heating devices, such as HVAC systems and fireplaces, may cause fires and ought to be inspected regularly.
• Electrical: Outdated wiring, defective outlets, and overloaded extension cords are several of the ways electrical complications result in fires. If you detect flickering lights, sparking from an outlet, or odd odors, get it checked out right away.
• Candles: Whenever there's a flame, there's the possibility of fire. Residential fires from candles are still commonplace and usually result from carelessness. Placing them within reach of pets or too close to combustible materials will lead to disaster.
• Smoking: Even with the overall decrease in smoking across the nation, it’s still a primary fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration estimated that 7,800 residential fires were started by smoking in 2021. Falling asleep with a cigarette in hand or throwing out smoldering ashes prematurely can give rise to catastrophic results.

The most effective way to prevent house fires in St. George is to be careful at all times. Always watch closely when cooking, don’t leave a candle burning, and get rid of cigarettes properly. If you must operate a space heater, do so sparingly and invest in one that has an automatic shut-off feature in case it tips over.

Get help quickly with a monitored fire alarm in St. George

You ought to have smoke detectors on every floor and consider using more near bedrooms. But you can take your safety a step further with a monitored fire alarm. These modern safety components will not only detect smoke but can also be triggered due to elevated heat levels. Additionally, considering they incorporate into your modern smart home, they’ll notify you and your monitoring specialists whenever a disaster occurs. This is a nice benefit, specifically when you’re not home to hear the alarm and call the fire department yourself.

Safeguard your home against common threats with a Vivint smart home in St. George

Enhance the protection of your residence today with a Vivint smart home. You can personalize our systems with monitored fire alarms, CO detectors, and flood sensors. You’ll be thankful for the instant notifications to your cell phone and the 24-hour support that comes with professional monitoring. Place a call to (435) 375-3735 to talk with a Vivint representative.