As a home or business owner, the last thing you want to deal with is a fire on your property. Fires can and do cause massive amounts of damage, destroying your property and bringing massive amounts of unhealthy smoke and soot along the way. Thankfully, one of the best ways to prevent fires is to understand the common causes of fire damage.
If you’re looking to learn the common causes of fire damage, you’re in luck, because Pro Restoration is here to help. Our technicians are experts in fire and smoke damage restoration, able to diagnose the causes of your fire and provide perfect restoration and reconstruction solutions. And to help you prevent fires before they start, we’re running through some of the most common causes of fire damage.
1. Kitchen Fires
The kitchen is a pretty common starting point for any residential fire. From open flames on your stove to the intense heat of your oven, there are plenty of factors that can kickstart a fire in your kitchen. It’s far too common for food, cooking tools, napkins, or your clothes to catch fire while you’re cooking, with the situation quickly getting out of control. Thankfully, the best way to prevent kitchen fires is to just be more mindful while you’re cooking.
2. Electrical Fires
Your home is filled with electrical appliances and wiring, and when they malfunction they can start huge fires. The worst part is, most electrical fires can’t be put out with water, instead requiring special, water-free fire extinguishers to fight. To prevent electrical fires, you can ensure that you do not plug too many appliances into the same outlet and repair any wiring or outlets you think might be damaged.
3. Lightning Strikes
Mother Nature can cause disasters fast, and while most people think of flood damage when they think of big storms or hurricanes, there’s also the potential for fire damage. Lightning strikes that come with storms can cause big damage if they reach the ground, and if your property gets struck you could have a major fire on your hands. The worst part is, you can never predict where a bolt of lightning will strike, but if you live in an area frequently hit by storms you should be sure to have an efficient evacuation plan to keep yourself and your family out of harm’s way.
For more residential and commercial restoration advice, check out the blogs below:
- 7 Steps To Take When Fire & Smoke Damage Strikes
- 9 Steps To Take When Water & Flood Damage Strikes
- Do You Have A Mold Problem? 4 Common Warning Signs Of Mold Growth
4. Smoking
People commonly focus on the negative health effects of smoking cigarettes, but it’s important to remember that smoking indoors can actually lead to fires. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, smoking is a leading cause of house fires, particularly when cigarettes or other smoking materials are discarded improperly. A lit cigarette that’s tossed into your trash can cause a fire in seconds, engulfing your property in flames. And e-cigarettes are also unsafe, with the possibility for malfunctions to cause them to explode. If you are a smoker, you can prevent fires by ensuring you don’t smoke indoors and you properly dispose of your cigarettes.
5. Children Playing With Fire
Children have always been fascinated by fire, and their curiosity can quickly lead to disaster. Kids playing with matches, lighters, or candles can cause fires in a matter of moments, all thanks to accidents. Be sure to educate your children on the dangers of fire in order to prevent fire damage.
You definitely don’t want to deal with a fire, but understanding the common causes of fire damage can help you prevent a problem before it happens. And if you are struck with a fire, Pro Restoration is always here to help. We handle fire damage and smoke damage restoration and reconstruction for residential and commercial properties, and offer 24/7 emergency services for when you need us most. For more information on our services, contact Pro Restoration today.