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Top causes of residential fires in Fayetteville and how to prevent them

September 25, 2023
Man surprised by smoke pouring out of oven

When you own a home, there are numerous risks to think about. Fire is chief among them, as it can arise in various places and at any time. The U.S. Fire Administration estimated a stunning $8.9 billion in property damage in the United States due to residential fires in 2021. Also during this year, there were over 350,000 documented occurrences. Luckily, there are things you can do to keep them from happening|. Learn more about the causes and how to prevent house fires in Fayetteville.

What causes residential fires in Fayetteville?

Fires can begin anywhere and without warning, whether caused by a burning cigarette in a waste container or a neglected stovetop. Here are the leading causes of residential fires.

  • Cooking: Flare-ups in the kitchen are the most common sorts of residential fires in Fayetteville and all other areas. Neglected stovetops are the main culprit, so always watch that scorching skillet when making a meal. It’s also essential to note that throwing water on a grease fire will only worsen the situation.
  • Heating: Portable heaters are well established as a cause of residential fires. Running them for too long may result in inner parts degrading and sparking. Situating heaters by combustible textiles like bed sheets and drapes or using worn cords will also lead to disastrous results. Other heating elements, such as furnaces and fireplaces, may cause fires and should be examined regularly.
  • Electrical: Worn out wiring, faulty outlets, and overwhelmed extension cords are a few of the ways electrical problems result in fires. Don’t ever operate an appliance with a frayed cord, and make sure combustible materials like paper aren’t placed on a lampshade, get it checked out immediately.
  • Candles: If there's a flame, there's the potential for fire. Residential fires due to candles are still commonplace and often result from careless behavior. Putting them within reach of pets or next to ignitable items will often produce disastrous results.
  • Smoking: Even with the overall decrease in smoking across the nation, it’s still an undeniable fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration announced that 7,800 residential fires were caused by smoking in 2021. Falling asleep with a cigarette in hand or prematurely throwing out smoldering ashes can give rise to destructive results.

The most effective way to prevent house fires in Fayetteville is to be attentive at all times. Always watch closely when cooking, don’t ever leave a candle burning, and properly dispose of cigarettes. If you must use a space heater, do so sparingly and use one that offers an automatic shut-off feature in case it tips over.

Safeguard your home with a monitored fire alarm in Fayetteville

You ought to have smoke detectors on each floor and consider using more next to bedrooms. But you can take your home’s safety a step further with a monitored fire alarm. These modern safety components will not only recognize smoke but can also be triggered due to elevated heat levels. In addition, considering they integrate into your modern smart home, they’ll alert you and your monitoring professionals whenever an emergency strikes. This is a worthwhile benefit, particularly when you’re not around to hear the alarm and contact the fire department yourself.

Safeguard your home against common threats with a Vivint smart home in Fayetteville

Enhance the safety of your property today with a Vivint smart home. You may customize our systems with monitored fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and water sensors. You’ll be appreciative of the instant alerts to your cell phone and the peace of mind that you enjoy with professional monitoring. Dial (479) 364-5616 to get started.