Sometimes, flames ravage structures, leaving them unlivable. On other occasions, buildings get damaged in disaster, but services such as fire/smoke damage cleanup, water extraction, etc., can restore them to the way they were before disaster struck. House fires happen. The following information and statistics reveal how big of a problem these events truly are.
The Leading Cause Of House Fires
Research shows that cooking is the top cause of house fires across the nation. It is especially important to take this into consideration, with Thanksgiving only a few weeks away. Soon, people everywhere will be cooking turkeys, hams, dressing, and more. Because cooking is the leading cause of house fires, take extra care when making breakfast, lunch, dinner, or any meal. Hopefully, that will keep events at bay, but be sure to have a fire extinguisher nearby, just in case.
Faulty Heating Equipment
Faulty heating equipment and electrical malfunctions are other top causes of house fires in the United States. The temperatures across the nation will be dropping any time now, with winter arriving in December. Therefore, it’s safe to assume that people will be using their heaters to warm their homes soon. However, before homeowners turn these units on, it is in their best interests to have them serviced. That will ensure the heating equipment is safe and ready to handle the cold months ahead.
Should Homeowners Worry About House Fires?
Homeowners shouldn’t let the fear of house fires consume them. They should, however, try to prevent incidents by having smoke detectors installed and getting electrical/HVAC systems inspected regularly. That’s because research shows an average of 358,500 homes experience structural fires annually. But of course, even if homeowners are extremely proactive in attempting to avoid events, that doesn’t necessarily mean a fire won’t occur because accidents happen.
An individual could leave a candle lit while they step out to a neighbor’s house for a second. When the door gets opened and closed, it sends a draft inside, which moves a curtain. The fabric touches the flame and catches fire. Luckily, the fire department arrives quickly, and the firefighters extinguish the flames. So, the person doesn’t lose everything, but their place has suffered smoke, fire, and water damage.
A Fire Every 24 And 87 Seconds
Somewhere in the United States, a fire department responds to a fire every 24 seconds. As for a home fire, research reveals one of them takes place every 87 seconds. Your house could sustain significant damage following such an incident, leaving you in need of a professional fire/smoke damage cleanup service.
Injuries And Deaths From Fires
Sometimes, people escape fires unharmed. However, on other occasions, individuals aren’t so lucky and get injured or killed by the events. Therefore, if a house fire occurs, you could be dealing with much more than property damage. In 2018, there were 15,200 civilian or non-firefighter fire injuries across America. Additionally, 3,655 people lost their lives in fires.
Hopefully, you never experience a house fire. However, if one does come about that causes fire/smoke damage, contact a restoration company, like Bright Side Restoration, to tackle the cleanup. It will make your life easier and ensure all traces of the event are gone.