Leading causes of residential fires in Gainesville and how to prevent them

There are many dangers you need to consider as a homeowner. Fire is foremost among them, as it can happen in any place and at any moment. The U.S. Fire Administration estimated an astounding $8.9 billion in property damage throughout the United States due to residential fires in 2021. In the same year, there were over 350,000 noted fires. Luckily, there are things you can do to keep them from arising|. Investigate the causes and how to prevent house fires in Gainesville.

What causes residential fires in Gainesville?

Fires can begin in any spot and without notice, whether sparked by a smoldering cigarette in a garbage can or an unattended stovetop. Here are the leading causes of residential fires.

• Cooking: Kitchen flare-ups are the most common kinds of residential fires in Gainesville and elsewhere. Neglected stovetops are the main culprit, so always keep an eye on that scorching skillet when making a meal. It’s also essential to note that soaking a grease fire with water will only worsen the situation.
• Heating: Space heaters are well known for causing residential fires. Operating them for lengthy amounts of time may result in inner parts wearing down and catching fire. Putting heaters near flammable objects like bedding and drapery or using damaged cords can also lead to disaster. Other heating devices, such as HVAC systems and fireplaces, could cause fires and need to be examined regularly.
• Electrical: Outdated wiring, malfunctioning outlets, and overwhelmed extension cords are some ways electrical issues result in fires. Whenever you discern flickering lights, sparking from an outlet, or odd odors, get it inspected promptly.
• Candles: Whenever there's a flame, there's the potential for fire. Residential fires due to candles are still commonplace and typically result from carelessness. Placing them within a pet’s domain or next to combustible items will often produce disastrous results.
• Smoking: Even with the overall decrease in smoking across the nation, it’s still an unquestionable fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration approximated that 7,800 residential fires were started by smoking in 2021. Dozing off while holding a cigarette or prematurely disposing of smoldering ashes can give rise to catastrophic results.

The primary way to prevent house fires in Gainesville is to avoid careless behavior. Always pay attention when cooking, don’t ever leave a candle burning unattended, and dispose of cigarettes properly. If you have to run a space heater, do so in short intervals and get one that offers an automatic shut-off switch in case it overturns.

Get help quickly with a monitored fire alarm in Gainesville

You should have smoke detectors on every floor and think about installing more by sleeping areas. But you can take your safety to another level with a monitored fire alarm. These innovative safety devices will not only discern smoke but can also trigger due to rising heat. Furthermore, because they integrate into your modern smart home, they’ll warn you and your monitoring representatives whenever a disaster occurs. This is a worthwhile perk, particularly when you’re not around to hear the alarm and contact the fire department yourself.

Safeguard your home against various dangers with a Vivint smart home in Gainesville

Enhance the safety of your household today with a Vivint smart home. You can personalize our systems with monitored fire alarms, CO detectors, and flood sensors. You’ll be appreciative of the instant notifications to your cell phone and the 24-hour support that you enjoy with professional monitoring. Dial (352) 922-3696 to get started.