If you rent or own a home, it is extremely important to become familiar with common fire hazards in residential homes. Homes contain an abundance of fire hazards that are hiding in plain sight. That is, people are often unaware that some items even post a risk of fire. Furthermore, some things have a higher risk than others. In particular, extension cords have historically been some of the most hazardous items in residential properties due to their prevalence and misuse. Other dangerous items often include high voltage appliances, space heaters, cooking hazards, candles, smoking, and fireplaces.
According to the American Red Cross, 7 people die every day from a home fire, most impacting children and the elderly. Additionally, more than $7 billion in property damage occurs from home fires every year. Evidently, the impact of a fire can be huge. However, you can lessen this risk by making sure your family is prepared and has a plan. In this article, we will go over the most common fire hazards found in homes, and how to be more prepared for any fire emergency.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission‘s (CPSC) estimates state that there are about 4,600 residential home fires each year associated with extension cords in the United States. These fires result in ~70 deaths and ~230 injuries annually. There are also 2,200 shock-related injuries that happen with extension cords every year.
Because electrical resistance increases the longer a power cord is, interconnecting cords increases the total resistance, which greatly increases heat generation. As a result, your chances of equipment failure or fires increase, especially when other combustible materials (like paper or carpeting) are in contact with the wires.
Extension cords should never be used to connect to a major appliance. Another common problem people run into is using an inappropriate extension cord for their appliance, which leads to overheating of the cord, damage to the electronics, and the increased risk of fire and shock.
In summary:
The kitchen is also a place where fires commonly start, since heating elements are often placed near other flammable objects. Never leave food unattended, as this is the cause of the majority of kitchen fires. Also, make sure there aren’t any flammable items near the stovetop while cooking. Make sure paper towels, cloths, and any flammable fabrics aren’t near any kitchen heating elements. Keep metal dishware, foils and other metal utensils our of microwaves and toasters. Additionally, make sure your dishware is “microwave safe” before you place it in the microwave.
Keep Reading: Types of Fire Extinguishers and Their Uses >>
Every year, candles are the root cause behind hundreds of fires that cause injury or death. If left unattended, candles can fall, overheat, and start fires. Frequently, this occurs when they’re near flammable objects like furniture or curtains. If you plan to light candles, keep them a minimum of one foot away from other flammable materials in the room, and always make sure they are supervised. Therefore, if you are going to sleep or are leaving the house, make sure all candles have been extinguished beforehand.
These devices are sometimes the most hazardous offenders when it comes to fire safety. Heating is important for your health, especially during the cold winters. Unfortunately, not everyone has adequate central heating in their homes. Hence, some people may opt to use space heaters as an alternative for home heating solutions. However, space heaters might be used for long periods of time, and can output up to 2,400 watts. In combination with faulty cables and heat generation, this can be a recipe for disaster when it comes to starting fires.
Make sure you purchase a heater that is UL 1278 or UL 1042 certified. Additionally, make sure you use an outlet, wire, or power source that can handle the high about of wattage from a space heater. Finally, it is important that there is no clutter around the space heater, and that the device is not placed in a confined area, which can cause overheating, or start a fire.
In summary:
Oil Space Heater, Photograph by Ashley Pomeroy
Damaged cables and old appliances are also just as likely to start a fire. If you have an older appliances that uses electricity or gas, try to have someone present when they’re running. At the same time, some older appliances have a tendency to overheat, so shut them off and give them time to cool down if they feel hot. Another cause of electrical fires are overloaded circuits. This can happen when too many appliances are plugged into one outlet, which causes wires to melt or catch fire. The same principles apply to old, damaged, or worn out wires.
Although many people are unaware, clothes dryers can also catch fire when they are not maintained properly. The National Fire Protection Association reports that dryers and washing machines caused an average of 15,970 fires each year between 2010 and 2014. The most prevalent causes of dryer fires is lint buildup in the dryer and blocking the dryer duct. If there is too much lint, airflow is blocked. Consequently, your clothing won’t dry as well, and the heat from the dryer may cause the contents to ignite.
In summary:
Many house fires are started by smoking in bed. If you smoke in bed, you have the risk of falling asleep and dropping a lit cigarette on your bedding or other fabrics in the room. If you choose to smoke in your home, the U.S. Fire Administration recommends that you don’t smoke while in bed. Ideally, it is always better to smoke outside, since many things in a home or building can ignite when coming into contact with a lit cigarette. Furthermore, always make sure that you wait until your ashtray’s contents are cold before dumping them. The same rules apply for fireplace ashes or any other smoking materials. Never throw away cigarettes and other smoking materials without putting them out all the way. Put water on the ashes or lit ends to ensure that they can’t ignite other materials in the trash.
Ready.gov is a U.S. national public service campaign that empowers Americans to prepare for emergencies and disasters. Their data demonstrates that a small flame can turn into a major fire in less than 30 seconds. Furthermore, rooms can rise to 600 degrees at eye level, which can scorch your lungs when breathed in. Moreover, a fire can fill an entire home with toxic smoke that produces complete darkness and makes you disoriented and drowsy. Needless to say, it is essential that you plan ahead even before the disaster even occurs in order to respond in time!
There is often a normalcy bias that causes people to neglect preparing for fire emergencies. At the same time, the sudden breakout of a fire can be frightening and disorienting. However, if you have an escape plan, you will be more prepared and confident in the event of such a disaster. As a result, you and your loved ones can escape more quickly and will be less likely to panic, which can lead to injury or death.
Plan and practice a fire escape plan twice a year. If anyone needs assistance evacuating the building, make sure you know who is going to help them and how. Also, make sure to keep your escape routes clutter-free so no one trips and falls during an emergency. Alternatively, if you live in an apartment building, know the means of egress (exits) that are available and how to reach them.
Installing and maintaining smoke alarms will also keep your home safer during emergencies. Never disable a smoke alarm while cooking, and make sure they are replaced every 10 years. Another useful facet of a fire safety plan is owning a fire extinguisher. These devices are useful for eliminating small fires before they grow to become life-threatening. At the same time, ensure that you purchase the right fire extinguisher for your home or business. For most residential homes, a general purpose “ABC” extinguisher will get the job done. While not as common, some homes and residential areas also feature fire sprinklers, which slows down the growth of fires, buying time for the occupants to escape.
Learn More: FireAlarm.com’s Children Fire Safety Awareness Checklist >>
Smoke alarms, fire sprinklers, fire extinguishers, and having a fire escape plan all help to save lives. At the same time, knowing what fire hazards exist in your home empowers you to make your living space more safe and secure. Fire is extremely dangerous and disorienting, so get educated on the best ways to handle fire safety. Check out our blog for an abundance of free resources on fire education and safety. FireAlarm.com also features residential smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and more to help keep your home safe! Check out our shop pages to learn more.
