House fires can be very traumatizing to a family!
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there are more than 360,000 house fires a year. The important aspect about that statistic is most of them were avoidable. There are some causes of fire that occur more than others and we want you to be aware of them.
CANDLES
A candle can help set a mood or give off a pleasant scent in a room. It is a useful tool until it tips over and catches something on fire. According to the NFPA, there are an average of 10,630 fires in the U.S. that were started by candles, causing 115 deaths, 903 injuries and approximately $418 million in property damage per year. When lighting a candle, don’t leave the room until you have blown it out.
SMOKING
It seems like it would be harmless. One cigarette burning down a whole house? It has happened more than you would have guessed. The NFPA has reported on average 17,600 related fires causing 490 deaths and more than $516 million in property damage per year. You could smoke cigarettes every day in your house and nothing happen. But remember all it takes is the ember to fall on one flammable object and you could be paying big for it. An easy solution is if you must smoke, do so outside.
ELECTRICAL
This is why you don’t hire a cheap electrician. The NFPA reported that 47,700 houses per year were damaged due to fire because of an electrical breakdown. House fires because of electrical problems on average cause 418 deaths, 1,570 injuries and $1.4 billion in property damage per year. You will save money in the long run by spending more now on a better qualified electrician.
COOKING
Be aware of who the good chefs and the bad chefs in the house are. House fires from cooking are started by using the stove more times than the oven. It usually starts with the grease catching fire. It can spiral out of control in a matter of seconds if you are not in the room or paying attention. The NFPA says that 156,600 totaling $853 million dollars in property damage per year due to fires started in the kitchen. Make sure to keep paper towels and other flammable products far from the stove when cooking.
It is important to have a fire alarm system in your house so that the closest fire station can be notified as soon as possible. When a fire has started, you need to exit as soon as you can because house fires can spread throughout the house in a matter of minutes. Your life is more important than some valuables inside your house. Hopefully, this information can make you more aware of possible dangers and help you avoid them in the future!
Contact us below if you are interested in learning more about our fire alarm systems!
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