Household Items that Have Caused Fires

Posted in blog on July 15, 2016

House fires are an unfortunate reality, and often result in a family losing everything they own. It may surprise you to read about some of these common household items capable of starting a serious fire. While you can prevent most fires with common sense and diligent care of your home, some things carry an added degree of risk in a home, and homeowners must use or store such things with caution.

Recently, a Fresno family lost their vehicle and carport after a mirrored headboard acted as a magnifying glass, reflecting the sun into a concentrated spot on the wooden carport and causing it to catch fire. Insurers ruled this a freak accident, but it serves as a cautionary tale to remind us to exercise care with our cars.

Most Common Sources of House Fires

The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) tracks the causes of house fires in the country. While some of the items on their list of top causes probably won’t surprise you, it’s important to remember that certain items we use daily have the potential for harm.

Appliances

Home appliances are one of the leading causes of house fires, especially cooking equipment in the kitchen. Direct heat or a malfunction can cause nearby flammable materials to catch fire, or hot liquids like grease can splatter and ignite. Always exercise caution in the kitchen, and be sure to keep flammable objects like papers, rags, or towels away from open stove flames or other heat sources.

Candles

Although candles can be comforting and help your home smell nice, they are open flames and users should treat them with care and caution. Never leave candles unattended, and keep them away from anything that may catch fire.

Electronics

Some electronic devices generate enough heat to damage some materials or surfacing, but the biggest fire hazards are their frayed cords and overloaded outlets. Always be mindful of how you situate cords, and be sure to stop using any electronics with frayed cords or damaged plugs.

Wiring

Standards in home construction have changed drastically over the years. Older homes and living spaces may have older wiring that is both inefficient and dangerous. If you notice any strange disruptions in your electricity on a consistent basis, consult a licensed electrician to check your home’s wiring.

Smoking

Smoking is declining in popularity, and the public is much more aware of the dangers the habit presents than in previous years. However, some individuals still choose to smoke indoors, and this creates an enormous fire hazard. Cigarette butts can potentially start fires on their own, or embers from a stubbed out cigarette may be caught by a breeze and sent into flammable materials. Falling asleep in bed or on the couch with a lit cigarette can have disastrous or deadly consequences.

Liquids

Some household cleaners or other liquids, such as paint, can easily cause house fires under the right circumstances. Some liquids will emit vapors when they are exposed to open air, and those vapors can instantly ignite from a single spark. Store paint and other flammable liquids in cool, well-ventilated areas, and keep them away from any heat sources.

Outdoor Cooking

Because barbecues work with open flames for cooking, you should always use them outdoors for proper ventilation. If you perform regular care and maintenance on your outdoor cooking equipment, you should be able to stay on top of any problems that may turn into a big fire hazard later.

This is not an exhaustive list. Preventing house fires relies on common sense and good judgment, so be sure to respect the hazardous items in and around your home and take steps to safeguard your family and belongings from fire damage.